Published: May 21, 2025, 04:13 PM (IST)
Edited: May 21, 2025, 05:45 PM (IST)
Former Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour is expecting a tough England tour for a young Indian side that is now without three of their main veteran players, who have left the Test format in quick succession. Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, then skipper Rohit Sharma and then star batter Virat Kohli too walked into the sunset, leaving a huge gap in the team.
Shubman Gill will most likely be India’s new Test skipper and will have a new-look top and middle order. The five-match series will begin on June 20 at Leeds, marking the start of a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
“It’s going to be a tough tour. It’s not going to be an easy tour because the seniors have retired a lot. So, the young team is leaving. There could be a new captain. So, all these things will add a little bit of pressure. But also it’s an opportunity to showcase your talent and your ability,” Rathour said after Rajasthan Royals’ win over Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday.
Vikram Rathour revealed that he had a good bond with Ashwin, Rohit and Kohli during his time as an international cricketer, and he stated that even though he would have loved to see all three of them playing, fans should respect their decision.
“All three of them were phenomenal cricketers who retired. I would have loved for them to carry on. But it’s, again, a very, very personal decision. I’m close to all three of them. So, you know, I would have, as I said, I would have loved to see them play more. But, again, it’s a very, very personal decision, I think. And if they’ve taken this decision, we should respect that,” he said.
India squad for the England tour should be revealed soon, and the selectors will have a tough task to pick a strong squad for the series.
