Have always admired energy and commitment he gives to the game: Ben Stokes on Virat Kohli

19.07.2022 - 17:35 timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Virat Kohli, saying he has always admired the energy and commitment that the Indian star brings to the field. Stokes had announced his retirement from ODI cricket on Monday, following which Kohli called the all-rounder "the most competitive bloke" he has played against.

Read AlsoIf I had about 20 minutes with Virat Kohli, it might help: Sunil GavaskarVirat Kohli is enduring a wretched run with the bat and has failed to score a century since November 2019.

He could manage just 76 runs from six innings across formats on the England soil, which included the rescheduled fifth Test, two ODIs and as many T20s. "Look, Virat is going to go down as one of the greatest players to play the game in all three formats.

He is a phenomenal player. And I have absolutely loved every time I have played against someone like him," Stokes told Sky Sports. "The energy and the commitment that he gives to the game is something I have always admired even before I started playing against him.

cricket Sporting Sky Sports on Virat Kohli South Africa India

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Virat Kohli's form off late has become a huge talking point, and the big scores have not come for the batter. In the recently-concluded ODI series against England, Kohli failed to get into his groove and he registered scores of 16 and 17. Before that, he had failed in the Edgbaston Test and the T20I series against England as well. The batter has now gotten the support of Robin Uthappa, as the T20 World Cup-winner said that the batter needs to be left alone as he knows how to deal with things.

"Ready To Do Anything For The Team": Virat Kohli Eyes Asia Cup, T20 World Cup

Star batter Virat Kohli is currently not part of the Indian for the ongoing white-ball series against West Indies. Kohli, who is struggling with the bat, will be back with the team for the upcoming Asia Cup in late August. The tournament will be held in UAE, and the format has again been changed to the T20s. While Kohli's recent run form has raised questions over his place in the Indian team, the former India captain said that he is ready to do anything to help the team win Asia Cup as well as T20 World Cup titles.

"If There Was Some Other Out Of Form Player...": World Cup Winner Says This On Virat Kohli's Place In The Indian Cricket Team

Virat Kohli's lean patch is currently one of the most-discussed topics in Indian cricket. The former Indian cricket team has failed to produce big scores in recent times. Some former Indian players have started questioning his place in the Indian cricket team, while others have backed the long rope being given to him. Kohli is not part of the ODI or the T20I squad for the upcoming Tour of West Indies. Many have wondered whether Kohli should be picked for the 2022 T20 World Cup or not, based on current form.

"I Love Virat": Ben Stokes Reacts To Kohli's Message After His ODI Retirement

Following Ben Stokes' shock ODI retirement announcement on Monday, Virat KOhli had a special message for the star allrounder. "You're the most competitive bloke I've ever played against. Respect," Kohli commented on Stokes' Instagram post. Stokes released a statement on social media to announce his retirement from the 50-over format, stating that playing all three formats was "just unsustainable" for him. Stokes' decision came a few months after he was appointed England's Test captain. Stokes has so far played 104 ODIs for England, scoring 2919 runs with three centuries and 21 half-centuries, and taking 74 wickets. He has now reacted to Kohli's compliment.

"Most Competitive Bloke": Virat Kohli's Tribute After Ben Stokes' ODI Retirement

Star England all-rounder Ben Stokes, who was the hero of England's 2019 World Cup final win, announced on Monday that he will be retiring from ODIs after the series opener against South Africa, which will be played at his home ground in Durham. Stokes released a statement on social media to announce his retirement from the 50-over format, stating that playing all three formats was "just unsustainable" for him. Star India batter Virat Kohli, who has often clashed against Stokes on the field, paid the all-rounder the ultimate tribute.

"His Goals Have Been Disrupted...": Ex-Australia Spinner Brad Hogg On Virat Kohli's Lean Patch

Virat Kohli's long lean patch with the bat has led many to say that he may not be an automatic choice in the Indian T20I team any more. The star batter has not scored a century since 2019, and his slump with the bat has become the talk of the town. While some experts have suggested that Kohli should take a break from international cricket, others have voiced their support for the 33-year-old former India captain. Speaking to NDTV, in an exclusive interview, former Australia spinner Brad Hogg feels that T20 cricket has disrupted Kohli's goals in the last two years.