For the first time in more than ten years, India will be playing Test cricket without Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, making their forthcoming five-Test visit of England a unique series. In May 2025, both legends declared their retirement from red-ball cricket, capping two remarkable careers. It would be an odd experience to take the pitch without them, according to KL Rahul, the team’s senior batsman.
Rahul, who debuted in Test cricket in 2014, has spent most of his career either batting with Rohit or under Kohli’s tutelage. Rahul is confident and prepared for the challenge that lies ahead now that he is in charge of leading the inexperienced batting lineup.
But the absence of Rohit and Virat in the changing room makes him feel empty.
For the past ten or so years, Virat and Rohit have been the cornerstones of Indian cricket, therefore their absence will be greatly missed. I’ve never joined a squad without Virat or Rohit in my whole career to date. Virat, Rohit, or both have appeared in the fifty or so Test matches I have played. It’s a little weird to enter that changing room. Naturally, though, you must respect their choice. They will always be remembered as Indian cricket icons since they have sacrificed all for their nation. “But it’s time for the rest of us to step up,” Rahul told the media team for his Delhi Capitals, a team in the Indian Premier League.
England will host KL Rahul’s third series.
There is a leadership gap as a result of the absence of Kohli, who captained India from 2014 to 2022, and Rohit, who led India in scoring during the 2021–22 England tour. Nonetheless, the new Indian team is anticipated to introduce a different style of cricket with Shubman Gill as the team’s captain and Rishabh Pant as his vice-captain. Rahul is starting his third Test series in England at the same time. He is familiar with the conditions, having amassed 614 runs from nine Test matches, including two hundreds.
“Immediately following the IPL, I began preparing for the England series. In order to prepare for this task, I also talked to my coach. Coming to England is always difficult because they are a formidable team, particularly at home. Since we are a relatively young team, it will be difficult for us all,” Rahul continued.
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