Former England all -rounder Moin Ali believes that Virat Kohli’s retirement format is a “massive shock” from Test cricket, depicting Indians as a “pioneer”, which brought passion and charisma fans in stadiums as if Sachin Tendulkar had once. As India prepares for a rigorous five-observant challenge in England starting on June 20, Moin admitted that Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s absence is a significant shock for visitors-and timely benefits for the hosts. “This is a major setback to test cricket. Virat was a pioneer, a man in Test cricket who always pushed the format,” Moane told Sky Sports. “He has done a lot for the game, especially in India. After Sachin, he was the man who came to see. He filled the stadiums.”
Praising Kohli’s intensity and leadership, Moin said, “He had a wonderful record, a great player to see – very competitive and a great captain. He played with many people. It is a big blow not only for India, but also for sports.”
India’s most successful Test Captain Kohli retired earlier this week with Rohit Sharma, except an important leadership and experience vacuum, is just ahead of an important series that also marks the beginning of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Moeen, who himself retired from international cricket in 2023, but T20 franchise continues to play cricket, saying that England would be greatly benefited from the absence of two senior testing batsmen in India.
“Surely, I think it’s a massive boost for England,” said Moeen. “Two top players who have gone to England a few times on the tour, so they have experience. I remember Rohit is actually playing really well. The character they have are the leaders – both of them have captained India in Test cricket – so, yes, a big loss to the team.”
In fact, Rohit played an important role in India’s strong performance during the 2021 tour, with 368 runs including a memorable centenary at the Oval. With the departure of both him and Kohli, India is now facing the challenge of the new leadership and the challenge of low-oriented batsmen under foreign circumstances.
Looking forward, Moeen believes that despite his inexperience in the captaincy of Lal-Genth, Shubman Gill is the biggest candidate to step into the role of leadership.
“I think it would be Shubman Gill,” said Moin. “Ideally, he (BCCI) wants Jaspreet Bumrah a captain because he is a very good leader who has done so earlier. But due to the record of his injury, he may not be able to finalize the entire series.”
Gill, who leads the Titans of Gujarat in the IPL, never captained India in testing or ODI. But Moeen feels that 24-year-old has a good cricket brain and may grow for a challenge-as a difficult is a difficult in English conditions.
“They are still a very, very good captain in Gill – inexperienced yes, but a good captain and a good brain,” said Moeen. “But this will be a challenge. England is a difficult place for any touring captain, and when it is first as a leader, it is even more difficult.”
With the fielding of a new side in the post-Kohli-Rohit era of India, Moeen believes that the hosts will start a favorite in the series, especially in view of the house status under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum and their familiarity with the depth of their test squad.
Moin said, “Signs for England look good to take a series,” before adding a customary warning: “But I will never reduce India or their ability, especially with the bat. He still has a great player – he does not have the experience of playing in England. And you need it completely.”
The five-testing chain starts from Handingley on 20 June, followed by Lords (28 June), Trent Bridge (6 July), The Oval (14 July), and Old Trafford (24 July).
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