England captain Ben Stokes said he would miss playing against Virat Kohli after India’s talisman decided to retire from Test cricket recently. Kohli announced his Test retirement on May 12, sending shocking waves around the cricketing world.

Kohli amassed 9230 runs in 123 Test matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. In the last 69 Test innings since 2020, Kohli has managed only 2028 runs at an average of 30.72, including just three centuries.

Before 2020, Kohli accumulated 7202 runs in 141 Test innings at an average of 54.97, including 27 centuries.

Stokes said he loved playing against a player like Virat Kohli and it’s not going to be a shame that the Indian superstar would not be part of India’s squad for the England tour.

Stokes said in a video uploaded by ECB, “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.”

On the other hand, the English all-rounder said Kohli deserves all the accolades and added that his cover-drives will long live in his memory.

“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.”

Kohli led India in 68 Test matches, winning 40, drawing 11 and losing 17, and thus he is regarded as one of India’s most successful Test captains.