India’s ongoing Test series against England has taken an unexpected turn, not just on the field but off it as well. Former captain and modern-day great, Virat Kohli, shocked the cricketing world by announcing his retirement from Test cricket ahead of the five-match series. His absence has left a glaring hole in India’s batting order and, perhaps even more critically, in their on-field energy.
Sai Sudharsan’s Tough Debut Highlights India’s Struggles
With Kohli stepping away, India handed a Test debut to Sai Sudharsan, a promising young talent. However, adapting to English conditions is never easy, and Sudharsan found the going tough. Over the course of the series, he managed just 140 runs at an average of 23.33, raising concerns about India’s middle-order stability in Kohli’s absence.
Things came to a head at The Oval, where England chased a steep 374-run target with surprising ease, thanks in large part to a dominant 195-run partnership between Harry Brook and Joe Root. During that phase, the Indian team looked unusually flat, with little intensity on the field. The lack of energy and direction sparked reactions from fans and experts alike.
Shashi Tharoor Says “India Missed Kohli the Most at The Oval”
Among the voices to express concern was Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who took to social media to share his disappointment. In a tweet that gained considerable traction, Tharoor wrote:
“I’ve been missing @imVkohli few times during this series, but never as much as in this Test match.”
Tharoor also made an emotional appeal to Kohli to reconsider his decision to retire from the longest format of the game:
“His grit and intensity, his inspirational presence in the field, not to mention his abundant batting skills, might have led to a different outcome. Is it too late to call him out of retirement? Virat, the nation needs you! #INDvsENG”
As it stands, India trails 2-1 in the series, with only one Test remaining. They’ll need nothing short of a miracle to tie the series 2-2, and with the final match also at The Oval—where Kohli’s presence was sorely missed—it’s clear why fans and cricket pundits alike are hoping for his return.
Whether or not Kohli chooses to reverse his retirement remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: his impact on Indian Test cricket goes far beyond runs on the scoreboard.
