India, Jan. 23 -- Virat Kohli joined the tributes for Saina Nehwal on Thursday, saluting the badminton trailblazer soon after she confirmed the end of her playing career.

In a message posted on X (previously Twitter), Kohli congratulated Nehwal "on a legendary career that put Indian badminton on the world stage," adding, "Wishing you a happy, fulfilling and well-deserved retirement. India is proud." Signed off with the tricolour and racket emojis, the post travelled quickly across sporting timelines, underlining how Nhewal's journey still sits in the national imagination beyond badminton circles.

The message arrived within hours of Nehwal's retirement announcement, as athletes, former players and fans shared their own goodbyes and thank...