New Delhi, May 21 -- England's Test captain Ben Stokes paid rich tributes to Virat Kohli, who announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12. India are playing five Test matches against England, starting June 20.

Ben Stokes spoke to the official social media channel of the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on the eve of the opening day of the English summer. England are playing a four-day Test match against Zimbabwe, starting tomorrow.

"I think what India will miss will be his fighting spirit, competitiveness, desire to win. He has made number 18 (jersey) his own, we will not see that number on the back of any Indian shirt. He has been class for India for a long period of time. I texted him that it's going to be a shame not play...