England Test skipper Ben Stokes opened up about his rivalry with Virat Kohli. He said that although they have battles on the field, there’s always mutual respect between them.
Both Kohli and Stokes have been two of the finest and fittest modern-day cricketers. They have engaged in many fearless battles on the field and have given endless entertainment to fans.
Recently, Stokes called time on his ODI career and he received many best wishes including one from Kohli. The former Indian captain wrote: “You're the most competitive bloke I've ever played against. Respect'… as they say, 'broke the internet.”
Speaking to Hindustan Times ahead of the release of his documentary 'Ben Stokes: Phoenix from the Ashes, Ben Stokes talked about his rivalry with Virat Kohli. He said: “To be honest, Virat and I don't really come across each other that much. We've played Test cricket against each other and in IPL. In the time that we have spent together, albeit very small, it's fine. When you're out on the field, it's me against the opposition or it's me against an individual.
“You've got to separate the two - the on-field competition and off it. It's not a case of where we are little children and when if we do have a bit of a go at each other on the field, as soon as we are off it, it's just back to two individuals who are in the same room together, and it's fine," Ben Stokes said.
Stokes cited the example of Tennis stars Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios, saying even if they have "battles" while trying to win games, "there's is always respect" between them.
“Look, sport produces amazing contests not only between teams but you also have those battles and contests between individuals. But at the end of the day, there is always respect between oppositions, between individuals, and it's just in our sports. Just an example - you look at Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios.
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“They have obviously had a huge rivalry but still at the end of the day, there is always that respect there between the two professional athletes. That's the same for us and through sports. You are always going to have a battle and trying your hardest to win a game. But when it comes to the end of it, there is always that respect and that's what great sport. One sportsman respects the other," he said.
Stokes is currently playing the Test series against South Africa whereas Kohli will be seen in action during the upcoming Asia Cup 2022.
