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"Will Miss The Aura Of Virat Kohli..": Ollie Pope On Facing A Kohli-Less India In Tests

Kaushik Kashyap

Ollie Pope on Virat Kohli retirement. [Source - TalkSport Cricket/ Philip Brown/x.com]Ollie Pope on Virat Kohli retirement. [Source - TalkSport Cricket/ Philip Brown/x.com]

England are set to host India for a five-match Test series beginning on 20 June, marking India’s first Test assignment since the retirement of the legendary Virat Kohli. The absence of the talismanic batter has been a topic of discussion, with England vice-captain Ollie Pope also sharing his thoughts on team India playing without their modern day master.

Pope Speaks on Missing Kohli’s On-Field Roar

Speaking in TalkSport Cricket Podcast, Pope acknowledged the immense talent in the young Indian side under their new skipper Shubman Gill, but emphasized that Kohli’s absence will be deeply felt. Known for his impact both with the bat and his commanding presence on the field, Kohli often unsettled the opposition with his intensity and leadership.

“It’s a young team, but these Indian players have got so much depth and talent. So they have got a lot of young guys coming through. Shubman Gill, their new captain, is a fantastic player. [But] they will miss the aura of Virat Kohli standing at slips and chirping away,” Pope said.

Earlier, England’s Test captain Ben Stokes also expressed disappointment at not facing the Indian great, noting that the longest format of the game will miss such a colossal figure, especially ahead of such a high-profile series.

Pope Gears Up for Post-Kohli India in Test

Team India now faces the tough task of filling the void left by Kohli. Nevertheless, Gill and his young troop will be eager to make history, aiming for a first Test series win in England since 2007. They came very close during their last visit in 2021-22 under Kohli’s leadership, where the Men in Blue managed a drawn series.

Meanwhile, Pope welcomed the five-match contest, stating that a high-quality opposition like India provides the ideal preparation for England ahead of the Ashes series later this year. England are coming on the back of a win over Zimbabwe and will be eager to carry that momentum into the opening of the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle.