Virat Kohli scored 1096 runs in 17 Tests in England with 2 centuries, 5 fifties at average of 33.21.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has taken a huge jibe at ex-India Test cricketer Virat Kohli, saying that the Indian team will not hugely miss the batter in the upcoming five-Test series against England that begins on June 20 in Leeds.
The Indian cricket team will be without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, as they both announced their Test retirements recently. Even R Ashwin, who retired from all formats during the most recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, won't be there.
Rohit has been replaced as the new Test captain by Shubman Gill. Rishabh Pant is now the team's vice-captain.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is anticipated to open with GT star Sai Sudharsan in the first Test, which will feature a redesigned Indian top order. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill has indicated that he will bat at No. 4, a position which Kohli made his own.
Karun Nair, the comeback king, is also a contender and might start at number three, but KL Rahul is also interested in that position.
Kohli's absence in particular has been perceived by many fans and pundits as a potential major talking point in the series. He got into a lot of fights on the field because of his fiery mentality, but it also inspired him and his teammates.
Michael Vaughan, the former captain of England, said that his batting will not be missed because of his Test average, but that his on-field enthusiasm and dressing room presence would be missed more than his batting. In 17 Test matches in England, Kohli has amassed 1096 runs at an average of 33.21.
“Kohli is a legend and a culture creator around this Indian team, and what he brought as a captain to the team is still there in terms of the energy and the drive, and the aggression. But he only averaged 33 here in the UK. You don’t massively miss someone that averages 33, but you miss someone that brings so much to the dressing room,” Vaughan told Fox Sports.
Vaughan also feels that the new generation of Indian cricketers selected in the team are capable enough of playing well in England.
“These players that are going to come in and play for India, they’re seriously good players. Maybe this new generation has been waiting. Maybe they’ve been waiting for this moment. Don’t be surprised that they play really well,” he added.
Virat Kohli retired from Tests after 123 matches for India from 2011-2025. He made 9230 runs at an average of 48.65 with 30 centuries and a best score of 254*.