Top News

New Delhi: Indias upcoming Test tour of England will be the first since 2011 without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma who recently retired from the format. The team now captained by Shubman Gill arrived in London to a low-key reception highlighting the absence of the two veteran batsmen. Kohlis arrival in Adelaide last November for Indias Australian tour generated significant media and fan excitement. The anticipation surrounding what was potentially his last Test series in Australia was immense leading to a closed-door practice session that didnt deter enthusiastic fans from seeking a view of the renowned cricketer. Following the arrival of the Indian cricket team in London for a five-match Test series beginning June 20 no public appearances were made by the team on Saturday. A social media video from Indian journalist Vimal Kumar drew attention to this. I did not get to see that hype. Not a single fan or media personnel was seen said Vimal in the video. No kohli no hype I am here for long time to witness the downfall of indian Test cricket. Empty airports stadiums ...get used to it . — Raj 🐺 (@the__choosenone) June 7 2025 When BCCI announced Captain is Gill the Test Aura gone there itself — Srikar Rebel (@SrikarRebel8) June 7 2025 No King Kohli no hype. — Sports syncs (@moiz_sports) June 7 2025 Some cricket fans believed the retirement of Kohli and Rohit Sharma signaled the end of an era for Indian Test cricket even predicting its decline. Others however expressed confidence that Shubman Gills future performances would restore the teams prestige. At a Mumbai press conference Gill was questioned about the absence of Kohli and Rohit and the resulting pressure on the younger team members. He confidently responded that this challenge was comparable to others the team had previously overcome. Pressure is always there in every tour. Definitely two very experienced players who played for such a long time and won so many times very difficult to fill their space. But it is not a different kind of pressure all of us players are used to it he said in the pre-tour presser on Wednesday.