ENG vs IND 2018: Alastair Cook Opens Up After Being Given 'Weird' But 'Nice' Guard Of Honour By Team India

Retiring England great Alastair Cook said the guard of honour from Team India before the fifth England vs India Test was very kind.

Alastair Cook was in for a pleasant surprise when he walked out to bat in the first innings of his farewell Test. The England legend will bring the curtain down on his international career after the ongoing game at the Oval.

Cook received a standing ovation from the crowd and it became all more special when Indian players lined up to applaud him as he made his way out to bat. Indian captain Virat Kohli shook his hand as a mark of respect before the game got underway.

Speaking at the end of the day, Cook said the guard of honour from the visitors was weird before calling it a nice gesture.

“It all happened so quickly. It is really weird,” said Cook. “The guard of honour is such a nice gesture, but you are just focused on batting.

“It doesn’t matter if it is your first game or whatever game it is, and it is very kind of Virat and the Indians, but I was just focusing on the first ball. You probably don’t really appreciate it. The reception I got was fantastic,” he added.

Coming to the game, Cook rolled back the clock with a gritty display. The former England skipper scored 71 on a day when his other teammates failed to compliment his efforts. Cook scored 71 before edging a Jasprit Bumrah delivery onto his stumps. England, meanwhile finished the day on 198 for 7 despite being 133 for 1 at one stage.