“Those battles we had…”: Joe Root reflects on Virat Kohli ahead of England Test series

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As the Indian team gets ready for the iconic five-match Test series against England, there have been numerous interviews and off-field conversations with teammates and legends of the game. Among them, English batting star Joe Root shared some heartwarming thoughts about India’s two former greats who recently said goodbye to the longest format of the game. With the new WTC cycle underway, the series marks a fresh start for the two cricketing powerhouse.

When asked about Indian legend Virat Kohli, Root expressed deep admiration, saying he never viewed their careers as a rivalry. He spoke highly of Kohli’s talent, calling him a remarkable player he always looked up to. Root also reflected on the memorable on-field battles they shared, saying they would be missed. He also acknowledged that Kohli’s departure creates space for the next generation to step up and leave their own mark on Test cricket.

“I’ve never been in competition with Virat. He is someone I’ve always admired, and thought, ‘Wow, what a player’. I’ll miss those battles we had on the field, but it provides opportunities for other players to try and put their mark on Test cricket,” Root stated.

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When asked about the retirement of Indian legends Rohit Sharma and Kohli, Root said that their absence leaves the game poorer. He praised both players for their incredible contributions to Indian cricket over a long period. Root acknowledged that the upcoming series would have a slightly different feel without them but still expects it to be highly competitive.

“Cricket is poorer without them being around. They are two Indian legends. They’ve done amazing things for Indian cricket for such a long period of time. It’ll be a slightly different look to the series, but we still expect it to be highly competitive,” Root further added.

Meanwhile, Root has been one greatest ever to feature in whites. He has played 153 Test matches, amassing 13,006 runs at an impressive average of 50.8. His tally includes 36 centuries and 65 fifties.

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