Puri, May 13 (UNI) Padma Shri awardee and renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has crafted a striking sand sculpture at Puri Beach in Odisha to honour Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket.

Pattnaik created a 5-foot-tall sculpture, accompanied by 14 sand bats, symbolising Kohli’s 14-year career in Test cricket. The artwork celebrates countless memories, incredible innings, and Kohli's unwavering passion for the game — a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.

Approximately 4.5 tonnes of sand were used for the sculpture. Students from Pattnaik’s sand art institute also joined hands with him in bringing the tribute to life.

Sudarsan dedicated the sand art to Virat Kohli, whom he described as “the king of our cricket”.

To date, Pattnaik has participated in over 65 international sand sculpture championships and festivals across the globe, winning numerous awards for the country.

He is well known for using his art to spread awareness on critical issues such as HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, global warming, terrorism, plastic pollution, and environmental conservation.

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