Ben Stokes Reveals One Memory of Virat Kohli That Will Live Long: “Is Just Wow”

Ben Stokes paid tribute to Virat Kohli, stating India's Test team would miss his spirit, while also sharing an unforgettable memory about the batter.

Ben Stokes Reveals One Memory of Virat Kohli That Will Live Long: “Is Just Wow”

England skipper Ben Stokes recalled his favourite memory about Indian cricket star Virat Kohli. (via India Today)

England’s red-ball skipper Ben Stokes in a tribute to Virat Kohli, who most recently retired from Test cricket, stated that India would miss his fighting spirit and competitiveness. Stokes further added that Kohli’s brilliant cover-drive would forever remain a cherished memory of the Indian stalwart.

Virat Kohli shocked fans earlier this month, by unexpectedly announcing his retirement from red-ball cricket. The former Indian captain took to social media to share his decision, expressing the difficulty of stepping away from the format he loved most. Kohli had, in fact, informed the BCCI of his intention to give up Test cricket weeks prior, with officials reportedly attempting to persuade him to reconsider.

The 36-year-old’s decision to call time on his Test career comes just a month ahead of India’s upcoming five-match Test tour to England, which also kickstarts the 2025-27 World Test Championship Cycle. He was widely expected to be a key member of the struggling Indian red-ball side, which most recently suffered consecutive Test series defeats to New Zealand and Australia.

Ben Stokes shared his perspective on Virat Kohli’s retirement, while also reminiscing about his fondest memories with the Indian cricket icon, in a video shared by the ECB. The all-rounder remarked that the Indian Test team would undoubtedly miss Kohli’s fighting spirit and fierce competitiveness in the years to come, while asserting that India might never see a player of his calibre.

He further expressed that it would be a ‘shame’ for him not to be able to face Kohli in the upcoming India-England Test series. Praising Virat Kohli’s aggressive nature, Stokes shared that he thoroughly enjoyed their on-field encounters due to their shared winning mentality, and added that Kohli deserves praise for his contributions. He even described the 36-year-old star as a ‘different beast’ in white ball cricket:

What India will miss is his [Virat Kohli] fighting spirit on the field, his competitiveness, his desire to win. I love playing against Virat. We've always relished the contest because we share the same mindset on the field.

The England skipper confessed to being mesmerized by Kohli’s elegant cover drive, a shot that he had mastered over the years, noting it would forever remain in his memory how powerfully the Indian star could strike the ball through the covers.

Had Kohli continued playing red-ball cricket, he would have been a vital cog in the Indian side for the England tour, owing to his outstanding record against them. Stokes continued:

In white-ball formats, he's been outstanding. One thing I'll always remember about Virat [Kohli] is how hard he hits the ball through the covers, that cover drive will live long in the memory.

Virat Kohli has scored 1,991 runs in 28 Test matches against England, at an average of 42.36, hitting five centuries and nine half-centuries. Furthermore, as India’s Test captain, Kohli famously led the team to a historic Test series victory in England in 2021. Overall, Kohli retired not just as a prolific red-ball player, but also as a great leader.

Ben Stokes confident England can reach No. 1 spot on the ICC World Test Team rankings

England Test captain and versatile all-rounder Ben Stokes confidently claimed that his team is just a step away from making it to the No. 1 spot, on the ICC World Test Team rankings this year. England are currently placed second on the rankings, only behind leaders Australia. 

Ben Stokes England Test no.1
Ben Stokes expressed confidence that England would reach to the top of the ICC Test Team rankings. (via NDTV Sports)

The Three Lions do have a chance to make it to the top, if they manage to win their upcoming Test series, against India and Australia. Skipper Ben Stokes confidently stated his team’s ambition to dominate red-ball cricket in the coming years. He also recalled remarking that England had ‘only one more place to go’ after the recent Test rankings were released, expressing his desire to build on their current standing:

When the rankings came out, I said, 'We've got one more place to go'... Everyone knows when things are going well for us as a team we are incredibly hard to stop. We know it doesn't always go that way.

Notably, England last occupied the No. 1 spot on the ICC Test Team rankings in August 2011, following a remarkable 4-0 victory over India at home. However, it only lasted a year, as the team relinquished this pole position to South Africa the following summer.