India’s forthcoming five-Test trip to England will be a one-of-a-kind series because the team will be without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the first time in more than a decade. 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 field without them, according to KL Rahul, the team’s senior hitter.
KL Rahul was first to feature in the Test team in 2014 and has spent most of his career under Kohli or with Rohit as a fellow opener. Today, as the leader of the batting line-up that struggles, Rahul is confident and eager to take up the new challenge. He however misses the presence of Kohli and Rohit inside the change room.
“Virat and Rohit have been the pillars of Indian cricket for the last decade or so, and not having them around will be a huge miss. In my whole career so far, I have never walked into a team where there is no Virat or Rohit. The 50-odd Test matches that I have played, either Virat or Rohit or both of them have been there. To walk into that dressing room feels a bit strange. But of course, you have to respect their decision. They have given absolutely everything for the country and they will remain legends of Indian cricket. But it’s time for the rest of us to step up,” said Rahul to his Indian Premier League side, Delhi Capitals media team.
KL Rahul to play his third series in England
The absence of Rohit, India’s leading scorer on the 2021-22 England tour, and Kohli, India’s captain from 2014 to 2022, has created a leadership hole. 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.
“I started with my preparations for the England series right after the IPL. I spoke to my coach as well to get prepared for this assignment. It’s always a challenge coming to England as they are a pretty good side, especially when they play at home. It’s going to be a challenge for all of us as we are a comparatively young team.”
KL Rahul
