Following the heartbreaking loss to the West Indies in the World T20 semi-final, star India batsman Virat Kohli drew inspiration from Amir Hussain Lone, an amputated cricketer from Jammu & Kashmir, whose story became a rage on social media around a month back.
Kohli took to Twitter to express his feelings, saying: "Never lose hope, life never ends, it only begins. Hats off to this young man", attaching a short YouTube video of the amputee cricketer's story.
Lone lost both his arms in an accident in 1997 when he was aged just eight. But that did not deter the 26-year-old, who sold walnuts before going on to achieve his dream by not just playing cricket but also by becoming the captain of Jammu & Kashmir's para team. (Two No-Balls That Cost Dhoni's Men A Final Berth)
In an admirable display of courage and skills, Lone bats by placing the willow between his neck and chin and bowls with his legs.
India lost the last four clash to the Windies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday night. Kohli scored a brilliant unbeaten knock of 89 off 47 balls, which included 11 fours and one six, to guide India to a challenging total of 192/6.
However, powered by Lendl Simmons's 82 not out, the Caribbean team achieved its target with two balls and seven wickets to spare. Kohli even bagged a wicket and bowled the last over as the Caribbeans needed eight runs to win.
West Indies will clash with England in the World T20 final in Kolkata on Sunday. Both teams have won the World T20 once each.