Joe Root Gears Up for India Challenge Amid Kohli-Rohit Absence. Joe Root will play a pivotal role for England in the upcoming five-match Test series against India. Reacting to the absence of Indian stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Root acknowledged the shift in dynamics ahead of the opening Test at Headingley in Leeds, set to begin on June 20. The seasoned English batter is part of the home squad and is expected to anchor England’s batting lineup.
Last month, Kohli and Sharma announced their retirement from Test cricket and will now focus solely on the ODI format. In their place, the BCCI has named Shubman Gill as the new Test captain and Rishabh Pant as his deputy.
The young duo of Gill and Pant faces a formidable task in English conditions, where Ben Stokes’ side has been dominant. With the absence of Kohli and Sharma, India’s batting depth and leadership experience take a significant hit, potentially tilting the balance in favor of the hosts.
Joe Root Reflects on Virat Kohli Rivalry: “I’ll Miss Those On-Field Battles”
In a recent chat with Sony Sports Network, former England Test captain Joe Root expressed his admiration for Virat Kohli and reflected on their memorable on-field encounters. Root acknowledged Kohli’s impact on Test cricket and said the game will feel the absence of stalwarts like Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
“Joe Root I’ve never seen it as a competition with Virat. He’s someone I’ve always admired and thought, ‘Wow, what a player.’ I’ll definitely miss those battles on the field,” said Root. “But their absence opens the door for new players to make their mark in Test cricket.”
He added, “Cricket loses something when players like them step away. They’re Indian legends who’ve done incredible things for so long. The series might look a little different without them, but we still expect it to be fiercely competitive.”
Joe Root, who recently became the first England player and fifth overall to surpass 13,000 Test runs during the series against Zimbabwe, will be a key figure for England in the upcoming clash against India.
The England vs India Test series marks the beginning of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 campaign for both teams. India’s tour of England will culminate with the fifth and final Test at The Oval in London, starting August 4.
