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

18.07.2022 - 16:11 sports.ndtv.com

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.

A post shared by Ben Stokes (@stokesy) "You're the most competitive bloke I've ever played against. Respect," Kohli commented on Stokes' Instagram post.

cricket Ben Stokes England Cricket Team Virat Kohli Star India South Africa India county Stokes county Durham

The Indian women's cricket team will begin its campaign at the Commonwealth Games on Friday against Australia at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The Indian team is grouped alongside Australia, Pakistan and Barbados in Group A. Ahead of the fixture against Australia, Virat Kohli wished the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side luck for the entire event.

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Virat Kohli's form with the bat has been the biggest talking point in Indian cricket for a while now and the former India captain's struggles off late have led to talks about his place in the team. It is a well document fact by now that Kohli has not scored an international century since November 2019, but he was still getting in good knocks in all formats after international cricket resumed in late 2020 and 2021.

"Don't Think We Have Any Right...": India Batter On Why Virat Kohli Should be Left Alone

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.

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

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.

"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.

Watch: Virat Kohli's String Of Low Scores Continues, Gets Caught Behind Off Reece Topley In 3rd ODI

Virat Kohli string of low scored continued in the third and deciding ODI against England in Manchester on Sunday as he was dismissed by pacer Reece Topley. Kohli started off well with some exquisite boundaries after India had lost Shikhar Dhawan in the third over chasing a 260-run target. However, in the ninth over bowled by Topley, Kohli again outside edged one to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler off a full delivery that fell on the middle and angled away. It marked the end of Kohli's innings.