IND vs ENG: Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma retirements will hurt India in England, feel Matthew Hayden and Graeme Smith

Friday - 20/06/2025 05:09

Cricket legends Matthew Hayden and Graeme Smith predict India will struggle in the upcoming Test series in England, citing the significant loss of experience due to the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin. Hayden anticipates a tough challenge for the young captain, Shubman Gill, in the seaming conditions.

Cricket Legends Predict Challenges for India in England Test Series

Cricket legends Matthew Hayden and Graeme Smith have voiced concerns about India's prospects in the upcoming five-match Test series against England, which begins Friday at Headingley. They believe the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will significantly impact the team.

Cricket legends discuss India's chances in England after Kohli and Sharma's retirement.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's absence will be a huge loss for India

With Shubman Gill leading the side, India's batting lineup will lack experience due to Kohli and Rohit's recent retirements from Test cricket.

Hayden told the ICC, "I feel India are really going to struggle. Shubman Gill is a young captain coming to this hostile environment, seaming conditions, bouncing conditions. It's going to be a real challenge, it's actually absolutely the litmus test as a touring team."

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Hayden added, "Generally touring teams come here and it is polar opposite conditions to what you are used to as fundamentally as a player, be it young or old. So lots of adjustments, so I predict that England, let me tell you, are a going to have a pretty good party at the end of that series."

Smith echoed Hayden's sentiments, "England at home, they really do play well at home. They understand the conditions and get the best out of it. I think it's going to be a challenge for Shubman and his team, lost a lot of experience, got to come here and that pressure shifts onto different people..."

He further stated, "I think Bumrah is going to carry a huge amount of the bowling attack. So I think England will have the better of India in these conditions."

The Indian team will also be without R Ashwin, who retired after the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane last December.

India has historically struggled in England, with only three Test series victories in 1971, 1986, and 2007 since bilateral engagements began in 1932.