Ben Stokes slaps down Virat Kohli criticism ahead of third Test match in India
The England captain didn't want to dwell in Virat Kohli's absence in the series.
Ben Stokes has dismissed criticism that England's achievements in India will be diminished if they win the series because of Virat Kohli's absence as the third Test gets underway. Kohli has already been ruled out of the third Test match against England at Rajkot and is also reported to miss the fourth Test.
Kohli stepped away from the series for personal reasons and there has been no indication on whether he will be available for the fifth and final Test of the series. Kohli's absence has divided fans in India, despite the likes of Kevin Pietersen defending his decision to step away.
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And ahead of the third Test match, England captain Stokes has hit out at the criticism that Kohli's absence only improves his team's chances of victory. Stokes hit back and said Kohli's absence is a shame, but England are only playing who is in front of them.
“I think when it’s a situation like this...when it’s someone missing a big series and a lot of cricket for personal reasons which we’re not sure of, I think we shouldn’t label that as a positive or a negative to our team," Stokes said ahead of the third Test. “It should just be that it’s a miss to cricket in general that Virat is not here.”
The reason for Kohli's absence is unknown, but Stokes has nothing but strong words of encouragement for the Indian superstar as he takes time away from the game. “I wish Virat all the best with everything he is going through and I hope he comes through it,” he said. "Because Virat Kohli on a cricket field is something everyone wants to see.”
Kevin Pietersen hits back at critics over Virat Kohli decision
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has made no official confirmation about the speculation surrounding the cricket icon, but Kohli could also be unavailable for next month's fifth and final Test in Dharamshala. Having scored more than 9,000 Test runs across his career, Kohli averages 56.38 against England on home soil. India has missed his presence in the middle order with England looking to end the host nation's formidable Test record at home.
And former England international Pietersen was quick to defend the batter during the second Test match when asked about the situation. "Family is very important for Virat Kohli and he has achieved what he has achieved in the game. He is allowed time to spend with his family," Pietersen said during commentary in the second Test.
"He is allowed the luxury of almost picking and choosing because of what he has done in the game." There is still uncertainty to whether Jasprit Bumrah will line-up for the third Test after talks he could be rested due to his busy workload coming back from surgery.
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