Ben Stokes Reflects on Virat Kohli's Impact Ahead of India-England Test Series
Stokes Acknowledges Kohli's Absence
Ahead of the five-match Test series between India and England starting on June 20, England's captain Ben Stokes expressed his admiration for Virat Kohli. He remarked that it would be unusual not to see Kohli's iconic number 18 jersey on the field, emphasizing that India will certainly feel the absence of Kohli's "fighting spirit" during this challenging tour.
Stokes' Tribute to Kohli
In a video shared by England Cricket on Instagram, Stokes stated:
"India will miss his competitive nature and desire to win. He has truly made number 18 his own. It will feel strange not seeing that number on any Indian shirt, but he has been exceptional for them over the years."
A New Era for Indian Cricket
This series marks a significant moment for India as it will be the first Test series without both Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who retired from Test cricket last month. Shubman Gill will take on the role of captain, ushering in a new chapter for Indian cricket.
Kohli concluded his illustrious 14-year Test career with an impressive tally of 9,230 runs in 123 matches, including 30 centuries. His batting average stood at 46.85, and he is regarded as one of the greatest Test captains, achieving 40 victories, surpassed only by legends like Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting, and Steve Waugh.
Stokes Reaches Out to Kohli
Ben Stokes also shared that he reached out to Kohli after his retirement, praising him for his dedication and passion for cricket.
He mentioned:
"I texted him, expressing my disappointment about not being able to compete against him anymore. I enjoy our matches because we both approach the game with the same competitive mindset."
Upcoming Test Series Schedule
New Chapter for Team India
The upcoming five-Test series will also initiate a new cycle for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) for both teams. The series will kick off at Headingley on June 20, followed by the second Test at Edgbaston on July 2. The third Test will take place at Lord's starting July 10, with the fourth Test scheduled at Old Trafford, Manchester from July 23, and the final Test at The Oval in London from July 31.
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