Shubman Gill Reflects on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's Test Retirements Ahead of England Tour

As the Indian Test team gears up for their England tour, captain Shubman Gill reflects on the significant retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. He acknowledges the challenges of filling their roles while expressing confidence in the current squad's mix of talent and experience. Gill shares his excitement about his new captaincy role and emphasizes the importance of communication and team bonding. The series kicks off on June 20, with Gill leading a fresh lineup. Read on for more insights from Gill and details about the upcoming matches.
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Shubman Gill Reflects on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's Test Retirements Ahead of England Tour

Gill Discusses Challenges Following Star Players' Retirements

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 6: As the Indian Test team prepares for their upcoming tour of England, captain Shubman Gill shared his insights regarding the recent retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket. He acknowledged the significant impact their absence will have on the team, stating, "It will be challenging to fill their roles in the squad."


Rohit announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 7, concluding a remarkable career that included 67 Tests over 11 years, just before the England tour, which marks the beginning of India's ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle starting June 20.


Similarly, Kohli's retirement announcement on May 12 left fans in shock, occurring more than a month prior to the eagerly awaited five-match Test series against England.


During a press conference before their departure, Gill remarked, "Every tour brings pressure to win, and the absence of seasoned players like Rohit and Virat is unfortunate. They have contributed immensely to our victories, and their void will be hard to fill."


Despite the lack of experienced players, Gill expressed confidence in the current squad's blend of talent and experience, stating, "The batting and bowling lineup we are taking is a good mix of both."


On the topic of his new role as Test captain, the 25-year-old described it as a "significant opportunity." He shared, "When I found out I was chosen to lead the Test team, I felt overwhelmed. It’s a great challenge that I am eager to embrace."


Gill emphasized his leadership style, saying, "There’s no specific approach I need to adhere to. I have played enough cricket for everyone to know my style. I prioritize communication and building rapport with my teammates. When players feel secure, they can perform at their best."


The Indian team will kick off the five-match series against England on June 20 at Headingley, with the second Test scheduled for July 2 at Edgbaston. The third Test will take place on July 10 at Lord's, followed by the fourth Test at Old Trafford starting July 23, and the final match at The Oval beginning July 31.


India's Test squad for the England series includes: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.


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