The whole team will miss you Lachu Bhai: Dhoni

Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni paid rich tribute to the veteran batsman saying that his absence would be felt by the entire team.

"The whole team will miss u VVS. One of the best human being I have ever met in my life. Spent a lot of time with him while batting and Fielding and the chat would always be about the team. Will miss him whenever the team cuts cake, Personally I will really miss u LACHU BHAI," Dhoni tweeted.

Saturday, while announcing his immediate retirement despite being selected for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, Laxman had raised a few eyebrows by stating that he could not contact Dhoni despite trying.

"I did try to get in touch with Dhoni but as you know it's very difficult to reach him," Laxman had said with a smile during an emotional press conference in Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, tributes poured in for the stylish right-hander with not just cricketers but athletes from other sports lauding him.

"Thank you for all the memories VVS. Cricket World will mourn, Aussie cricket will celebrate," tweeted tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi.

"India will miss VVS Laxman, rock solid batsman, a great ambassador for cricket & above all one of the best human beings I have met," added Olympic silver-medallist shooter Rajyavardhan Rathore.

Young Indian batsman Virat Kohli also took to twitter to applaud the veteran.

"A very very special cricketer and a more special person. A true inspiration and class personified!You will be missed laxman bhai.take a bow," he said.

Photograph: Arko Datta/Reuters