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England Test captain Ben Stokes revealed that he personally messaged Virat Kohli after the batting legend announced retirement from the longest format of the game ahead of the upcoming red-ball England tour. Team India are scheduled to play a five-Test match series against England, which will start from June 20. Ahead of the upcoming Test series, Stokes noted that he will miss Kohli’s competitiveness and added that he always relished the contest against the Indian international.
Ben Stokes also reckons that the Men in Blue will also miss Kohli's fighting spirit and competitiveness in the longest format of the game. Kohli is arguably one of the best captains to lead India in whites. Under his captaincy, Team India became the first ever Asian team to register a Test series win on Australian soil.
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“What India will miss is his fighting spirit on the field, his competitiveness, his desire to win. He's made No. 18 his own - we might never see it on the back of another Indian shirt. He's been pure class for such a long time. I texted him saying it's going to be a shame not playing against him this time. I love playing against Virat. We've always relished the contest because we share the same mindset on the field - it's a battle,” said Stokes in a video shared by the ECB.
Stokes also recalled Kohli’s contributions, stating that the latter’s cover drive will live long in his memory. He briefly talked about Kohli’s impact in England as well.
“He's been incredible. He deserves all the accolades. No doubt, there's been plenty of praise for him in India and here as well. He's done well in England too. In white-ball formats, he's been outstanding. One thing I'll always remember about Virat is how hard he hits the ball through the covers - that cover drive will live long in the memory," added Stokes.
Before Kohli, Rohit has also announced his retirement from the longest format of the game and now there are reports that Shubman Gill will lead India in the upcoming Test assignment against England.
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