[WATCH] King Kohli in Sand: Sudarsan Pattnaik pays emotional tribute to Virat

Puri, May 13 (ANI/UNI): World-famous sand artist and Padma Shri winner Sudarsan Pattnaik has rendered a heartfelt homage to cricket great Virat Kohli, on his retirement from Test cricket. On the golden sands of Odisha's Puri beach, Pattnaik created an exquisite 5-foot-tall sand sculpture of Kohli amidst 14 sand-made bats to represent each year of his glittering Test career.

Using approximately 4.5 tonnes of sand, the artwork was a collaboration between Pattnaik and his students from his sand art institute. The tribute captured Kohli’s monumental influence on Indian and world cricket, showcasing a portrait of the cricketing icon affectionately known as "King Kohli."

We greet #ViratKohli with our Sand Art at Puri beach for his 14-year odyssey that revolutionized #Testcricket forever," Pattnaik posted on X (previously Twitter), along with a photo of the artwork. "#ViratKohli says goodbye to Test cricket, leaving behind an unprecedented legacy. #KingKohli #TestCricket.

ALSO SEE:PCB appoints RCB former coach as Pakistan Men's White-Ball head coach

Sudarsan Pattnaik creates sand art in Puri to honor Virat Kohli’s Test cricket retirement

Kohli, 36, declared his Test retirement on Monday, bringing an end to one of the most influential careers in the history of the longest form. In 123 Tests, he scored 9,230 runs, with 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries placing him among India's highest run-scoring Indians.

Kohli was an Indian colossus, making 4,336 runs in 55 Tests in India, a personal best 254* against South Africa at Pune in 2019. Away from home, he established himself as a force against strong teams such as England and Australia. He made 2,232 runs in 30 Tests against Australia, seven of them centuries on their soil. He also put critics to rest in England with powerful innings, including a memorable 149 at Edgbaston.

Sudarsan Pattnaik, who has represented India in more than 65 international sand sculpture competitions, said the tribute was his gesture of gratitude to Kohli for inspiring generations with his passion and performance.

"Kohli is the king of our cricket," said Pattnaik. "His contribution to India and the world is beyond numbers."As waves caress the beaches of Puri, Pattnaik's statue towers transient but evocative tribute to a myth who transformed the ethos of Test cricket.