'Don't Like it Used as an Advantage or Disadvantage For us': Ben Stokes on India's Missing Stars Ahead of 3rd Test

Following the confirmation that India’s ace batter, Virat Kohli will be missing the remaining three Tests against England at home. The England skipper, Ben Stokes was not keen on the absences from the Indian side being posed as an advantage or a disadvantage to his side.

KL Rahul also has been ruled out of the third Test. The BCCI’s statement read, “KL Rahul, whose availability for the remaining three Tests was subject to fitness, has been ruled out of the third Test against England in Rajkot. Rahul has reached 90 per cent of match fitness and is progressing well under the supervision of the BCCI Medical Team.”

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Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Stokes commented ahead of their training session, “KL sustained an injury in the first game and that has kept him out. I said the other day that Virat not being here, I don’t like it being used as a benefit to us or a disadvantage to India.”

The English captain believes that whatever the reasons for the absence may be, it should be left at that and there should not be further speculation regarding the same. He said, “There are some specific reasons as to why he is not playing in this series and it should be left to that as opposed to an advantage or disadvantage to any side.”

Stokes, however, conveyed his best regards from himself and the side with the reasons behind Virat Kohli’s absence still unknown. He said, “I wish Virat with everything that’s going around and all our well wishes from the team. You want the best players playing and he is one of them. Hopefully, he will be back on the field very soon.”

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The skipper much like the rest of the cricketing fraternity shared that they will be happy to see Kohli back on the pitch and hope to see him soon. He mentioned,” Virat Kohli on a cricket field is something that everybody wants to see.”

England have already named their playing eleven for the third Test and have made just one change to their side. The fast bowler Mark Wood has come back into the side in place of the spinner Shoaib Bashir.