As India prepares to face England in the much-awaited five-match Test series starting Friday, KL Rahul opened up about how the absence of two legends — Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma — will be felt deeply. Both players announced their retirement from Test cricket in May, leaving major gaps in the Indian lineup, especially at the top order.
Virat Kohli, who scored 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, was India’s fourth-highest Test run-scorer. Rahul shared, “Virat and Rohit have been the pillars of Indian cricket for the last decade or so, and not having them around will be a huge miss. In my whole career so far, I have never walked into a team where there is no Virat or Rohit.”
He further said, “The 50-odd Test matches that I have played, either Virat or Rohit or both of them have been there. To walk into that dressing room feels a bit strange. But of course, you have to respect their decision.” He acknowledged their contributions by saying, “They have given absolutely everything for the country and they will remain legends of Indian cricket. But it’s time for the rest of us to step up.”
Karun Nair’s Comeback and Rahul’s Support
KL Rahul also spoke highly of Karun Nair, who is making a return to the Indian Test squad after eight years. Nair recently smashed a double century against the England Lions and scored 198 runs in eight matches for Delhi Capitals during IPL 2025. Rahul highlighted Nair’s journey, stating that both began playing together at the age of 11.
“We started playing cricket as 11-year-old boys together and we have been on this journey ever since. Both of us have had our ups and downs. He got his opportunity, scored a triple hundred, faced a bit of tough time after that for a lot of reasons. But what has stood out is the way he has performed in the last 2-3 years,” Rahul said.
He also praised Nair’s resilience, “It’s been great to see how he has gone back to basics. We have spoken about his time in the UK and him having played County cricket, and the difficulties and the challenges that he faced. To have that drive to make a comeback to the Indian team despite all the hardships is commendable. I hope both of us can play for a very long time for the Indian team.”
Rahul’s Preparations and Team India’s Challenge
KL Rahul emphasized his dedication towards the upcoming series. He revealed that his preparations began right after the IPL ended. “I started with my preparations for the England series right after the IPL. I spoke to my coach as well to get prepared for this assignment,” he said.
Acknowledging the strength of the English team, especially at home, Rahul added, “It’s always a challenge coming to England as they are a pretty good side, especially when they play at home. It’s going to be a challenge for all of us as we are a comparatively young team.” The opening match at Headingley, Leeds, will also mark the start of the 2025/26 World Test Championship cycle for both India and England.
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