Midway through the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma startled the cricket community by announcing their retirements from Test cricket. The five-match Test series between England and India, which begins on Friday, June 20, will not feature the mainstays of Indian cricket.
With so many young players in the lineup, India will start the series as the underdog. Additionally, Shubman Gill, their new captain, will be leading them.
Despite acknowledging that Rohit and Kohli will be missed, England seam-bowler Brydon Carse, who was selected in the 14-man team for the opening Test match at Headingley, Leeds, emphasised India’s batting depth. The 29-year-old, however, claimed that the Three Lions are prepared to face any challenge from the Asian powerhouses.
“You see, Kohli and Sharma are definitely a huge loss for their batting lineup.
Carse was quoted by India Today as saying, “They’ve been world-class batters and experienced players over a number of years.”
“But the depth that Indian cricket have and the quality and players coming through, you know, they will, without a doubt, put up a very strong 11 and we’re ready for whatever challenge that brings,” he said.
Carse has so far represented England in five Test matches, twenty-four ODIs, and eleven T20Is. In the three formats, he has taken 27, 28, and 17 wickets, respectively. Carse can score significant runs down in the order, making him a useful batter as well. In ODIs, he averages 19.54 and in Tests, 18.80.
Regarding India’s batting depth, fans are feeling very hopeful after Sai Sudharsan was added and Karun Nair returned. Nair demonstrated his value on the domestic circuit by putting up runs for pleasure, but Sudharsan emerged as the IPL’s Orange Cap winner for most runs scored.
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