Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma bid adieu to Test cricket last month, leaving a big void in the Indian team ahead of the England tour that marks the beginning of the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

The marquee five-Test series is slated to get underway on June 20 in Leeds, followed by matches at Edgbaston (July 2-6), Lord’s (July 10-14), Old Trafford (July 23-27) and The Oval (July 31-August 4).

With barely a couple of days remaining for the series opener, England legend Geoffrey Boycott commented on Kohli and Rohit’s recent retirement from the longest format, saying that it will "hurt" the transitioning team's chances in English conditions.

Boycott reckons that India will miss Kohli more than ex-skipper Rohit in the all-important Test series.

"The retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma hurts the chances of India beating England. Kohli is the biggest loss as he has been their best batsman and talisman in all three formats," Boycott wrote in his column for the Daily Telegraph.

"With so much international cricket played by India, and so little rest, it takes its toll and the mind becomes fatigued."

The former England captain termed Kohli's absence as a bigger blow. "It does not matter how much talent or experience you have, if you are not mentally fresh and up for the challenge then it becomes draining," Boycott said.

"Rohit was a superb batsman. At his best, a beautiful stroke player, but he won't be missed as much as Kohli because his Test record was good rather than exceptional. In the last couple of years, his batting was a little inconsistent, which was not surprising in his late 30s," he added.

"Rohit was never a natural athlete like Kohli and he knows that opening the innings in England can be pretty tough because the new ball moves around more. You really have to be up for the challenge to have any chance of success," he continued.

"I just think that over time the wear and tear of opening the innings and being captain in all three formats wore him down," observed Boycott.

Rohit Sharma’s retirement forced the BCCI selectors to appoint a new Test captain in Shubman Gill. Rishabh Pant will perform the role of deputy in England, where India are aiming to win their first Test series since 2007.

On a separate note, Boycott advised the Ben Stokes-led side to ditch their Bazball style of batting and apply some common sense.

"England should beat India if they temper Bazball and use some common sense. At times their cricket has been thrilling and super enjoyable but also reckless batting has lost them Test matches," Boycott said.

"Their only thought should be winning because it is no use telling us how good you are when the last three World Test Championship finals have been played in our country but England have not qualified for any of them. They should be embarrassed. Their aim should be to make the next WTC final," he added.

"The new cycle starts now and somebody needs to get through to the England players that being a winner is better than being known as an entertainer. If you can win and entertain, that is a bonus. At the moment England are like a one-trick-pony," he remarked.

While the absence of Kohli and Rohit has weakened the Indian line-up, Boycott cautioned the hosts against getting complacent.

"It's Bazball or Bazball and that is the way we play; take it or leave it. They don't want to change or learn from their losses. It doesn't seem to make any difference that so many top class ex-England Test players keep telling them to moderate their batting. So please, get your act together, bring your best game and apply some cricket nous," he concluded.