IND vs ENG: KL Rahul Reflects on a New Era Without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
As the Indian cricket team gears up for the first of a thrilling five-match Test series against England, starting on Friday at the iconic Headingley Stadium in Leeds, the spotlight is on a significant transition in Indian cricket. With the retirements of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the team steps into uncharted territory, and vice-captain KL Rahul has shared his heartfelt thoughts on this generational shift.
The absence of Kohli and Sharma, who bid farewell to Test cricket in May 2025, has left gaping holes in India’s batting order at the critical opening and number four positions. Kohli, aged 36, retired with a staggering 9,230 runs in 123 Test matches, placing him fourth on India’s all-time Test run-scorers list. Sharma, meanwhile, concluded his illustrious career with over 3,500 Test runs and a legacy as one of India’s most dependable openers. Their contributions over the past decade have been monumental, and Rahul openly admitted the void feels surreal.
‘Virat and Rohit have been the backbone of Indian cricket for the last decade. Walking into a dressing room without them feels incredibly strange,’ Rahul told the Delhi Capitals media team. ‘In my 50-odd Test matches, at least one of them, if not both, was always there. Their absence is a huge miss, but we respect their decisions. They’ve given everything for the country and will forever be legends of Indian cricket. Now, it’s time for the rest of us to step up.’
Amidst this transition, there’s a silver lining as Karun Nair makes a remarkable return to the Indian Test squad after an eight-year hiatus. Nair, now 33, last played a Test in 2017 but has roared back into contention with standout performances, including a blistering double century against England Lions in Canterbury in 2025 and a solid 198 runs in eight matches for Delhi Capitals during IPL 2025. His unforgettable unbeaten 303 against England in Chennai in 2016 remains a highlight of his career, making him only the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to score a Test triple hundred.
Rahul, who shares a long history with Nair dating back to their childhood days, couldn’t hide his admiration. ‘We started playing together as 11-year-old boys, and we’ve been on this journey ever since. Karun had his highs with that triple hundred, but faced tough times after. What stands out is his resilience over the last 2-3 years,’ Rahul said. ‘Seeing him go back to basics, play County cricket in the UK, and overcome challenges to make this comeback is inspiring. I hope we can play together for India for a long time.’
As for his own preparation, Rahul revealed he wasted no time after the IPL season ended. ‘I started working on my game for this England series right after IPL 2025. I consulted with my coach to fine-tune my approach. Playing in England is always a challenge—they’re a formidable side at home. With a relatively young Indian team, we’re all eager to prove ourselves,’ he added.
The series opener at Headingley marks the beginning of the 2025/26 World Test Championship cycle for both teams, setting the stage for an intense battle. England, known for their aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach under coach Brendon McCullum, will test India’s resolve on seaming pitches. Meanwhile, India will rely on emerging talents and seasoned players like Rahul to fill the void left by their retired icons.
As the curtains rise on this new chapter, Indian cricket fans worldwide will watch with bated breath. Can this young squad rise to the occasion without their legendary leaders? Will Karun Nair seize his second chance to cement his place? Only time—and the action at Headingley—will tell.