No Virat Kohli, No Rohit Sharma: Ben Stokes Nonetheless Warns Not Taking Indian Group Frivolously In Check Sequence

As India gears up for a five-match Check sequence in England beginning June 20, English Check captain Ben Stokes mirrored on the absence of two Indian stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and the void they depart behind. Kohli just lately introduced his retirement from Check cricket by way of a heartfelt Instagram observe, following Rohit’s exit from the red-ball format. Collectively, their departures mark the top of an period in Indian Check cricket.

Stokes, in a video launched by the ECB, expressed admiration for Kohli’s iconic cowl drive, a shot he described as one which “will dwell lengthy within the reminiscence.” He emphasised the drive and class with which Kohli pierced the off-side discipline, noting it as probably the most defining features of his batting. “I like taking part in towards Virat,” Stokes added. “It’s a disgrace to not face him this time. His competitiveness, his combat, and that No. 18 shirt, he’s been pure class.”

Kohli’s Check profession is nothing in need of legendary, amassing 9,230 runs at a mean of 46.85, together with 30 centuries. He not solely raised the efficiency bar for India but in addition reworked the workforce’s mentality along with his aggressive management and fitness-first method.

Regardless of the absence of Kohli and Rohit, Stokes was fast to remind everybody to not take the revamped Indian workforce flippantly. With India threadbare by way of expertise of defying the difficult English circumstances, Stokes is not keen to take the revamped Asian Giants flippantly.

“One factor about India is their battery of batsmen; it’s simply unbelievable. The time I’ve spent within the IPL, they have batters popping out of there… cannot say a phrase on this on this interview, however you recognize what I imply. You’ll be able to by no means take any Indian workforce flippantly, even when the truth that they’re with out two of their nice batsmen,” he stated.

Stokes himself is making a comeback after a hamstring harm sidelined him since December 2024. Wanting to return, he stated, “All the things’s gone nicely. Labored very arduous to get to the place I’m.” With two cricketing giants gone, India enters a brand new period, however Stokes’ phrases are a reminder: the firepower of Indian cricket stays formidable.