'I Wasn't Joking...': Virat Kohli Hails Ben Stokes' Heroics At Lord's

image-ljmfmu5dBen Stokes played a knock for the ages (Twitter)

The 2023 Ashes series continues to be a display of Australian brilliance as the team sailed to a 43-run victory against England in the second Test at Lord's.


Virat Kohli reaffirms Ben Stokes' unmatched competitiveness

Despite Australia's domination, England skipper, Ben Stokes, stood out with a phenomenal 155-run knock in the fourth innings. In the process, the southpaw set a new record for the highest individual score by an England captain in the fourth innings of a Test match and his herculean performance drew a wave of admiration from fans and peers alike.

Among the accolades was a shout-out from Indian cricketer Virat Kohli. The former Indian captain, who had previously described Stokes as the most competitive player he had ever faced, reemphasized his respect in a tweet. Kohli lauded Stokes' impressive performance but did not overlook Australia's continued upper hand in the series.

"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," tweeted Kohli.

Despite Australia's strong start to the day, the tide seemed to shift when Stokes began his batting onslaught. The dynamic left-hander launched the Australian bowlers all around the field, making hitting sixes look effortless. In fact, he reached his century by smashing Cameron Green for three consecutive sixes, just as lunch was about to be taken.

For those observing the unfolding spectacle, a sense of deja vu seemed to pervade the air, reminiscent of Stokes' heroics during the 2019 Ashes Test at Headingley. However, the visitors held their nerve to secure a win, adding another victory to their previous win at Birmingham. Yet, the conversation steered towards Stokes' magnificent batting display which left the cricketing world in awe.

Both teams are now preparing to square off in the third Test of the Ashes 2023 series at Headingley, Leeds. Currently leading the series 2-0, the Australian side will be aiming to continue their dominant form and seal the series with a victory. On the other hand, the home team will strive to stage a spirited comeback by narrowing the gap in the five-match series.