As India prepares for a stern five-Test challenge in England starting June 20 at Headingley, Moeen acknowledged that the absence of Kohli and Rohit Sharma is a significant setback for the visitors \u2014 and a timely advantage for the hosts.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a massive blow to Test cricket. Virat was the one pioneer, the one guy in Test cricket that always pushed the format,\u201d Moeen told Sky Sports. \u201cHe\u2019s done so much for the game, especially in India. I think after Sachin, he was the guy everybody came to watch. He filled out stadiums.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Praising Kohli\u2019s intensity and leadership, Moeen added, \u201cHe had an amazing record, was a brilliant player to watch \u2014 very competitive and a brilliant captain. The style he played with inspired many. It\u2019s a big blow not just for India, but for the game.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kohli, India\u2019s most successful Test captain, retired earlier this week alongside Rohit Sharma, leaving a gaping leadership and experience vacuum just ahead of a crucial series that also marks the start of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Moeen, who himself retired from international cricket in 2023 but continues to play T20 franchise cricket, didn\u2019t shy away from stating that England would benefit greatly from the absence of India\u2019s two senior-most Test batters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cDefinitely, I think it\u2019s a massive boost for England,\u201d Moeen said. \u201cTwo top players, who\u2019ve been to England a few times on tour, so they have the experience. I remember Rohit playing really well the last time. The character they have, the leaders they are \u2014 both of them have captained India in Test cricket \u2014 so yeah, a massive loss for the team.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Indeed, Rohit was instrumental in India\u2019s strong showing during the 2021 tour, scoring 368 runs including a memorable century at The Oval. With both him and Kohli gone, India now faces the challenge of blooding new leadership and less-experienced batters in foreign conditions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Looking ahead, Moeen believes Shubman Gill is the likeliest candidate to step into the leadership role, despite his inexperience in red-ball captaincy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think it will be Shubman Gill,\u201d Moeen said. \u201cIdeally, they (BCCI) would want Jasprit Bumrah to captain because he is a very good leader who has done it before. But because of his injury record, he might not be able to last the whole series.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gill, who leads the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, has never captained India in Tests or ODIs. But Moeen feels the 24-year-old has a good cricketing brain and could rise to the challenge \u2014 albeit a tough one in English conditions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve still got a very, very good captain in Gill \u2014 inexperienced yes, but a good captain and a good brain,\u201d Moeen opined. \u201cBut it will be a challenge. England is a tough place for any touring captain, and when it\u2019s your first time as leader, it\u2019s even more difficult.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With India fielding a new-look side in the post-Kohli-Rohit era, Moeen believes the hosts will start favourites in the series, especially given their familiarity with home conditions and the depth of their Test squad under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe signs look good for England to take the series,\u201d Moeen said, before adding a customary warning: \u201cBut I would never underestimate India or the ability they have, particularly with the bat. They still have brilliant players \u2014 they just don\u2019t have the experience of playing in England. And that\u2019s something you absolutely need.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With India fielding a new-look side in the post-Kohli-Rohit era, Moeen believes the hosts will start favourites in the series, especially given their familiarity with home conditions and the depth of their Test squad under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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