"I Wasn’t Joking..." - Virat Kohli Hails "Most Competitive Bloke" Ben Stokes After Heroics At Lord's

Former India National Cricket Team captain Virat Kohli took to his social media handle to lavish rich praise on the England National Cricket Team captain Ben Stokes for his unbelievable innings against Australia National Cricket Team in the second Test of the Ashes 2023 at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

England captain Stokes once again stepped up on the big occasion and slammed a marvelous century, which was undoubtedly one of the best fourth innings knocks ever.

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Ben Stokes started off cautiously and was well supported by Ben Duckett. However, after losing Duckett as well as Jonny Bairstow, Stokes unleashed his aggressive avatar and smashed Aussie bowlers all over the park.

Also Read: Updated ICC World Test Championship Points Table After England vs Australia 2nd Test

The England captain was involved in a century partnership with Stuart Broad that completely shifted the momentum back towards the Three Lions. However, Stokes was unable to repeat his Headingley 2019 heroics as he was cleaned by the premier pacer Josh Hazlewood.

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Stokes got out after scoring 155 runs off 214 balls, with 9 fours and 9 sixes. His dismissal on 155, with England 70 runs away signaled the end of the fight. The tailenders were unable to take their team home and Australia won by 43 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the series.

After the match, Virat Kohli took to Twitter to hail Stokes for his heroics and once again labeled him as the “most competitive bloke” he has ever played against. Kohli also acknowledged the fact Australia are at their very best at the moment in Test cricket.

“I wasn’t joking about calling Ben Stokes the most competitive bloke I’ve played against. Innings of the highest quality but Australia is too good at the moment,” Virat Kohli tweeted.

I wasn’t joking about calling Ben Stokes the most competitive bloke I’ve played against. Innings of the highest quality but Australia is too good at the moment ?

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) July 2, 2023

Earlier, Kohli had replied to Stokes’ ODI retirement announcement post on Instagram and stated “You’re the most competitive bloke I’ve ever played against. Respect.”

Also Read: Ugly Scenes! Watch: Usman Khawaja, David Warner Invovled In Altercation With Lord’s Long Room Members

Ben Stokes and his stomach for a fight is unreal – Ravichandran Ashwin

The veteran India National Cricket Team off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also took to Twitter to laud Stokes for his performance. He wrote:

“May eventually turn out to be an innings in a losing cause, but Ben Stokes and his stomach for a fight is unreal.”

May eventually turn out to be an innings in a losing cause, but Ben Stokes and his stomach for a fight is unreal. ??? #Ashes2023

— Ashwin ?? (@ashwinravi99) July 2, 2023

Also Read: 6,6,6! Watch: Ben Stokes Brings Up His Hundred In Emphatic Fashion At Lord’s

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer, meanwhile, labeled Stokes’ innings as “something else” and praised the England skipper for getting his team very close to the target.

“That was something else! Take a bow @benstokes38 ?? Almost pulled off a miracle again! #Ashes23,” Jaffer stated.

That was something else! Take a bow @benstokes38 ?? Almost pulled off a miracle again! #Ashes23 pic.twitter.com/yVlVvxn56R

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) July 2, 2023

Former India player Sanjay Manjrekar also hailed Stokes and compared him with Rishabh Pant for his brilliant performance under pressure.

“Clarity under pressure is what sets Stokes apart. Just like Rishabh Pant for India.”

Clarity under pressure is what sets Stokes apart. Just like Rishabh Pant for India. #Ashes

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) July 2, 2023

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