Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket last month, marking the end of an illustrious chapter in Indian cricket. As the countdown begins for India’s tour of England 2025, preparations are in full swing for the first Test, set to begin on June 20 at Headingley in Leeds. With Shubman Gill taking over as captain, Team India faces a significant challenge against Ben Stokes’ England side, known for their dominance in home conditions, particularly in the longer format.
India will undoubtedly feel the absence of Virat Kohli in this high-stakes series. The veteran right-hander, who scored 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, retired as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Test history. His departure leaves a void both on and off the field.
Several England players have expressed disappointment over not getting the chance to face Kohli. Captain Ben Stokes even messaged Kohli, saying it would be a shame not to see him in Test matches anymore. Fast bowler Chris Woakes echoed the sentiment, remarking that the senior batter’s absence from the series is unfortunate.
Ollie Pope: Indian Team Will Miss Virat Kohli’s Presence at Slip
England batter Ollie Pope believes that the Indian team will feel the absence of Virat Kohli during the upcoming Test series. Speaking to talkSport Cricket, Pope remarked that Virat Kohli energy and constant chatter from the slip cordon will be sorely missed.
“It’s a young team, but the Indian players have incredible depth and talent. There’s a lot of promising youngsters coming through. Shubman Gill, their new captain, is a fantastic player. Still, they will definitely miss the aura of Virat Kohli at slips, constantly chirping and keeping the energy up,” said the 27-year-old.
Virat Kohl has had a significant impact in India’s recent Test tours to England. In the 2018 series, he was named Player of the Series after amassing 593 runs in 10 innings, including two centuries and three fifties.
During the 2021 tour, under Kohli’s captaincy, India led the series 2-1 after four Tests. However, the final match was postponed due to COVID-19 and eventually played a year later, ending the series in a 2-2 draw.
As for the current series, Pope has been included in England’s squad for the first Test. The five-match series will conclude with the final game at The Oval in London, scheduled from July 31 to August 4.
