Ben Stokes says England can’t take India lightly even without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

England Test skipper Ben Stokes said his team can’t afford to be complacent against India in the upcoming five-match Test series even when the opposition won’t have the services of veteran batters like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

While Rohit announced his Test retirement on May 7, Kohli stunned one and all as he retired from the red-ball version on May 12. The duo’s experience in English conditions would have been imperative but India would look to begin a new chapter in their Test folklore.

Stokes said he has seen Indian batters talent in the Indian Premier League and added England would need to be at the top of their game.

“One thing about India is their battery of batsmen; it is just incredible. The time I’ve spent in the IPL, they’ve got batters coming out of there… can’t say a word on this in this interview, but you know what I mean,” Stokes said in a video posted by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

“You can never take any Indian team lightly, even with the fact that they are without two of their great batsmen.”

Stokes said they would look to tick the right boxes and they would need to adapt to conditions as soon as possible.

“We always look to get out the opposition at the start of the Test match and then look to see how we adapt throughout the game as it progresses. But I know they (India) have got two big retirements. They have been such an important part of the Indian team and all the success they’ve had,” he added.

“It’s going to be a long, tough summer. Five Test matches always is, always is against India as well, and tomorrow (the one-off Test against Zimbabwe) is the start of the tone-setting.”

Speaking on Virat Kohli’s retirement, Stokes added India will miss his intensity on the ground.

“What India would miss maybe is his fighting spirit out in the game, his competitiveness, desire to win. He’s made No.18 (jersey) his, hasn’t he?

The opening Test match between India and England will be played at Leeds, Headingley from June 20 onwards.