As India prepare for the five-match Test series in England -- uncertainty looms over Virat Kohli's future in red-ball cricket.
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Just days after Rohit Sharma confirmed his retirement from Tests -- fresh reports have suggested that Kohli may also make himself unavailable for the five-match tour of England starting in June and could bring the curtains down on his illustrious Test career.
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The potential absence of both players from the lineup has set off alarm bells in what could be a defining phase for Indian Test cricket.
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What did Michael Clarke say on Virat Kohli's retirement rumours?
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke expressed hope that Kohli is not done with Test cricket just yet.
“I hope the rumours aren’t true. I believe Virat still has a lot of Test runs in him and any team with him in it is a better team,” Clarke told Revsportz.
India's squad for the England tour is expected to be announced around May 20. But the lead-up to that announcement has seen rumours of Kohli opting out of the series.
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If it turns out true -- it would leave the Indian team without its two most experienced batters -- Rohit (who has retired) and Kohli -- who may step away voluntarily. With Jasprit Bumrah also unlikely to play in all five games, the leadership and experience void becomes even more apparent.
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Shubman Gill is understood to be the frontrunner for the captaincy, but with a largely young squad -- the pressure on the next generation could be immense. All eyes are now on the squad announcement.