Monty Panesar, the former England off-spinner, expressed surprise over Virat Kohli’s sudden retirement from Test cricket just before India’s crucial five-match Test series against England starting June 20, which also kicks off the World Test Championship Cycle 2025-27. Panesar believes Kohli had initially intended to play but might have been pressured by the Indian team management, possibly given an ultimatum regarding his place in the squad based on performance in the first couple of Tests.
Panesar suggested that Kohli, anticipating the possibility of being dropped mid-series if he didn’t perform, may have decided to "bail out" early to allow younger players a chance. He told Hindustan Times:
“I think he was definitely going to play. I think England were expecting, everyone was expecting him to play. I'm surprised he's kind of like bailed out. But maybe the fact that outside off-stump, he's just thinking, well, you know, they may have had a word with him. They said, look, if you don't score well in the first couple of Test matches, don't expect to play all the five. So, he's probably thinking, well, I'll just call it a day and give the youngsters a go.”
Panesar also highlighted the importance of India’s middle order, particularly Karun Nair and Shubman Gill, for India’s chances of success in England. He pointed out that Karun Nair’s double hundred against the England Lions and Gill’s experience in county cricket could be pivotal if they translate that form to the international level:
“It would depend on how Karun Nair performs, he scored a double-hundred against the England Lions. He and Shubman Gill, that middle-order, how they bat. I think the batters who've played county cricket, if they are able to then transform that same form at the international level, then I think India have got a chance to win.”
The series also marks the first Test assignment for Shubman Gill as India’s captain, taking over from Rohit Sharma after his retirement. At just 25, Gill faces a significant challenge to lead a relatively young Indian squad aiming to win a Test series in England for the first time since 2007.
