Ollie Pope of England acknowledges talent of India despite absence of Virat Kohli in the upcoming five-Test series which will start from 20th June 2025 in Leeds. He identifies Shubman Gill’s captaincy and depth of India but notes atmosphere of Virat Kohli will be missed. Pope highlights the Test series as critical preparation for the Ashes, focusing the high level of competition India brings.
The absence of Virat Kohli will be detectable in the forthcoming five-Test series starting in Leeds on 20th June 2025. After the Test retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, India has selected a relatively inexperienced team for this important series.
pope told talkSPORT cricket ” It’s a young team, but these Indian players they have got so much depth and talent,”
“So they have got a lot of young guys coming through; a lot of good players. Shubman Gill, their new captain, is a fantastic player. They will miss the aura of Virat Kohli standing at slips and chirping away.”
“But they have got some good talent, so they will feel confident. But our players are ready for it.”
India lastly won Test series in England in 2007, with subsequent losses in 2011, 2014 and 2018, while the 2021-22 series concluded in a draw.
“It’s a great time for us to play India”
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Pope focused the importance of the upcoming India series for England, explaining it as crucial preparation ahead of the Ashes later this year.
“It’s a great time for us to play India. Last summer, we had the West Indies and Sri Lanka, but with India coming over, the level of quality that they will bring is a great way for us to focus on that and not look too far ahead.”
“So yeah, for us, it’s the perfect time to play India, and then once the Ashes come around, it will be exciting.”
