England’s five-match Test series against India gets going today, but there will be no Virat Kohli.
The superstar sportsman hasn’t travelled with the squad to the United Kingdom and joins Rohit Sharma in missing out.
Kohli isn’t playing this Test seriesGettyOn paper, it is a huge blow for the tourists, who are set to be without one of their greatest-ever players.
Also, with no Sharma, there is a new captain in Shubman Gill, and he’s already under pressure.
Where is Virat Kohli?
After 123 Tests, 9,000 runs and 30 centuries, Kohli has called it a day in Test cricket.
The middle-order star was one of the big four, along with Joe Root, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson.
But at the age of 36, he has decided to focus on the short format of the game and retire from Tests.
In many ways, it’s a blow because Kohli is one of the most popular sportspeople in the world, and he always ignited the Indian crowd.
However, his form in Test cricket had been poor for some time.
Across his final 12 Test matches, he scored one 100, while his record in England was never that great.
Kohli often struggled in the UKGettyIn 17 matches, he averaged 33 and scored two centuries.
However, the timing of his retirement was far from ideal for India as he announced it in May this year, leaving the selectors scrabbling around.
In an emotional statement, he said: “It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket.
“Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life.”
Kohli has since won the Indian Premier League for the first time with Royal Challengers Bengaluru [RCB].
Who is Shubman Gill?
India have been dealt a double blow because as well as Kohli retiring, captain Sharma has as well.
This has seen 25-year-old Gill become the Test captain.
And what a start it is, playing England away from home in his first series.
Gill is a top-order batter who has captaincy experience in T20, leading the Gujarat Titans to IPL victory before.
But a Test series is another thing entirely, and the pressure is on already because his form isn’t great.
Gill has struggled in Test cricket for a bitIn his last 17 Tests, he has three centuries but has also scored 30 or fewer 21 times.
He currently averages 35 in Tests, and he has only played in England once.
But that wasn’t against England, it was versus Australia at The Oval for the World Test Championship final.
So, this is going to be a whole new experience for Gill, who wants to dominate.
Speaking ahead of the series, he said: “I want to play as a batsman and dominate opposition and be the best batsman in the series. That is what I am trying to look at.
England vs India Test Series Fixtures
First Test: June 20-24, Headingley, Leeds – 11:00am
Second Test: July 2-6, Edgbaston, Birmingham – 11:00am
Third Test: July 10-14, Lord’s, London – 11:00am
Fourth Test: July 23-27, Old Trafford, Manchester – 11:00am
Fifth Test: July 31-August 4, The Oval, London – 11:00am
England vs India: Date and how to follow
This opening Test of the series will get underway on Friday, June 20 and run until Tuesday, June 24.
It is being held at Headingley in Leeds and play will get underway at 11am each day.
For the first time ever, talkSPORT overseas listeners can tune into coverage of an England home Test series via the talkSPORT Cricket YouTube channel.
Our expert team taking you through ball-by-ball consists of England legend Steve Harmison, ex-New Zealand star Jeremy Coney and fans’ favourite David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd.
They will be joined by talkSPORT’s experts Jon Norman and Neil Manthorp.
Unfortunately, UK-based listeners can’t tune in, but talkSPORT.com will be right across all the action to keep you up to date.
The match will also be shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Cricket.
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