England captain and all-rounder Ben Stokes has joined a growing list of cricketers praising Virat Kohli following his retirement from Test cricket. Speaking ahead of the much-anticipated five-match Test series between India and England, starting on 20 June, Stokes highlighted how Kohli’s absence would be deeply felt by the Indian side.
Ever since Kohli announced his retirement, several former and current players—including Chris Woakes, Ollie Pope, and Joe Root—have reflected on the void his departure creates. Adding his voice to theirs, Stokes, in a video shared by England Cricket, said:
“I think what India will really miss is his fighting spirit, his competitiveness, and his sheer desire to win. He made the number 18 shirt iconic, didn’t he? It’ll feel strange not seeing an Indian player wearing number 18 out there. He’s been top class for them for a very long time.”
Stokes also revealed he reached out to Kohli personally after hearing the news of his retirement.
“I texted him and said it’s going to be a shame not to face him again. I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of playing against Virat. We share that competitive spirit—when we’re on the field, it’s always a battle,” Stokes added.
Since becoming Test captain in 2022, Stokes has transformed England’s red-ball side, leading them to 20 wins in 33 matches, with only one draw. His captaincy record at home is particularly impressive, with England winning 13 Tests on home soil under his leadership.
Against India, Stokes has featured in 21 Tests, scoring 972 runs at an average of 24.92, including one century. With the ball, he has taken 40 wickets, including a memorable five-wicket haul.
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