Everyone wants to see Virat Kohli, but him not playing shouldn't be labelled as positive or negative for England: Ben Stokes

India and England are engaged in a gruelling five-game Test series, which has given the fans a plethora of moments to cherish so far. With two Test matches done and dusted, it was expected that Virat Kohli will make a return to the Indian Xi. 

However, the 35-year-old, who missed the first two games due to personal reasons, is set to miss the whole series now. England skipper Ben Stokes has opened up on Kohli’s situation ahead of the third Test in Rajkot. Stokes opined that Kohli’s absence should not be taken as something positive or negative and wished that he comes through whatever he is facing currently. 

Also read: BCCI announces India's squad for final three Tests against England, Kohli to miss whole series

"I don't mean to say anything disrespectful to the question. I think when it's situations like these, when someone is missing a big series and a lot of cricket due to personal reasons, which we are not sure of, we shouldn't label that as positive or negative to our team," Stokes said in a video shared by the ECB. 

"We should just let it be. It's a broader loss for cricket. I wish Virat, whatever he is going through, all the best. I wish he comes through it. Virat Kohli, on a cricket field, is something that everybody wants to see,” he added.

Kohli’s absence has been felt heavily in the Indian team as the gap in the host’s batting attack has been felt. With a young Indian batting contingent, the side has been unable to outbat England in the first two Tests. 

Apart from Kohli, wicketkeeper batter KL Rahul will be missing the upcoming Test. The hosts lost the first Test of the series to England in Hyderabad after a sensational performance by Ollie Pope. 

As the second Test rolled around, the Indian team came prepared. After a mammoth double ton by Yashasvi Jaiswal and a century by Shubman Gill in the second innings, India managed to level the series and will aim to take a lead in Rajkot.