The recent retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been a huge talking point in the build-up for the India tour of England.
The team will also have to rely on young blood to take up the responsibility in India's batting lineup — out of which only KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Shubman Gill have previously played Tests in England.
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Monty Panesar, the former England spinner, who troubled India back in the day with his left-arm spin, addressed why the news of the two stalwarts leaving the red-ball format will be seen a positive by the England players during the five-match Test series.
As the two sides kick-start their fresh World Test Championship cycle, see what the former left-arm spinner had to say.
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Monty Panesar expresses delight over the retirements of India legends
Speaking to InsideSport on May 25, Panesar spoke about his surprise of seeing the star duo retiring together and leaving a gap in the Indian batting order.
"I think the England bowlers would be much happier as they are not bowling against Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli. It is a bit of a surprise that the two of them retired at a very similar time — leaving a massive hole in the Indian batting lineup."
Panesar, however, showed confidence in the Indian cricketing system and how the new batters coming into the Test set-up would still be able to fill in the gap created by the legends.
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The former spinner kept emphasizing the importance of relief that Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes would feel as the sides enter the new cycle of the World Test Championship.
"There is so much talent coming through [in India], they will fill that gap up very quickly, and that is how strong Indian cricket is. As an English bowler, I would be much happier bowling to a young Indian batter than Kohli or Sharma because the simple fact is that they are experienced batters and have played in England against England."
"I would have been slightly nervous with Virat and Rohit in the team. Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes would be much happier knowing that this is a young Indian team and a bit more confident going into the Test series."
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— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) May 25, 2025
MONTY PANESAR SAID:
“England’s bowlers will be much happier that they are not bowling against Rohit or Virat in the upcoming series” #CricketTwitter #viratkohli #rohitsharma pic.twitter.com/vGRTxoNz1n