It will be a very difficult moment for me when Tendulkar retires: Kohli

India's star batsman Virat Kohli still doesn't know what his reaction would be when Sachin Tendulkar walks out to bat for one last time in international cricket, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in a month's time.

"I have grown up watching him play and only wanted to bat like him. It will be a very difficult moment for me when he retires. He has been the biggest match winner for India and such a huge inspiration for all of us," said Kohli on Tuesday, who turned a touch emotional on the eve of India's second ODI against Australia in Jaipur.

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"For 24 years, we never thought that there could be an Indian cricket team without Sachin. I don't know how I would react when he would step out one last time and what will be the reaction of the whole team.

"Just like everyone in India, we are also sad that he will not play any longer," he added.

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Tendulkar last week announced his decision to retire from the longest version of the game after playing his 200th Test to be held in Mumbai against the West Indies.

Image: Virat Kohli (left) with Sachin Tendulkar

Photograph: Reuters