Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12. Following the announcement, England Test captain Ben Stokes revealed that he had sent Kohli a text message in response to the news. Kohli’s decision to end his Test career came as a surprise, especially with India’s upcoming Test series against England just around the corner.
India is set to tour England for a five-match Test series starting on June 20. Reports suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had requested Kohli to reconsider his retirement, hoping he would be available for the high-profile series.
Despite their efforts, Virat Kohli chose to step away from the longest format of the game. His retirement came shortly after Rohit Sharma also announced his decision to retire from Test cricket. Both senior players will now focus solely on representing India in One Day Internationals (ODIs).
Ben Stokes Reached Out to Virat Kohli After His Test Retirement
In a video shared by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), England all-rounder Ben Stokes revealed that he had messaged Virat Kohli following the Indian star’s retirement from Test cricket. Stokes expressed his admiration for Virat Kohli and reflected on their on-field battles.
“I texted him saying it’ll be a shame not facing him this time. I’ve always enjoyed playing against Virat. We’ve always embraced the contest – we both have that same fiery mindset on the field. It’s always been a battle,” said Stokes.
The England captain also praised Kohli’s passion and competitiveness, noting that India would deeply feel his absence in the Test arena.
“What India will miss is his fighting spirit, his relentless drive to win. He’s made that No. 18 jersey iconic – we might never see another Indian wear it the same way. He’s been sheer class for so many years,” he added.
Virat Kohli is especially remembered for his stellar performance during India’s 2018 tour of England, where he notched up two centuries and three fifties across 10 innings, even though India lost the series. In 2021, under Kohli’s leadership, India secured two vital wins in England to lead the series 2-1 before the final match was postponed and later won by England.
Throughout his career in England, Virat Kohli amassed 1,096 runs in 33 innings, including two centuries and five fifties. He retired from Test cricket with 9,230 runs in 210 innings at an average of 46.85, finishing as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in the format.
