“‘After Tendulkar, He Was the One’: Moeen Ali Says Virat Kohli’s Test Retirement Is a Huge Loss for Cricket”

Moeen Ali compared Virat Kohli’s impact on Indian cricket to that of legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar.

Kohli-Rohit Exit a ‘Massive Boost’ for England, Says Moeen Ali

The sudden retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket have created a vacuum in the Indian setup just ahead of their crucial five-match Test series against England, starting June 20. Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali believes this development is a significant boost for the home side as India prepare to begin a new World Test Championship cycle under a fresh leadership group.

Shubman Gill is expected to be named India’s next Test captain, but concerns over his inexperience at the highest level are mounting, especially with a young batting line-up set to face challenging English conditions. Moeen underlined the value Kohli and Rohit brought to the table, especially in overseas Tests.

“It’s definitely a massive boost for England. Two top players who’ve been to England a few times on tour, so they have experience,” Moeen told Sky Sports. He pointed to Kohli’s memorable comeback in the 2018 series after a poor outing in 2014, and Rohit’s stellar 2021 tour, where he was India’s top run-scorer with 368 runs at an average of 52.57.

Moeen said their absence removes two key pillars of India’s Test side, both in terms of batting strength and leadership. While Gill shows promise and intelligence as a leader in the IPL, the challenge of Test captaincy in England is vastly different.

India’s transition phase begins under intense scrutiny, with experts watching closely to see how the team handles the departure of two modern-day legends.

Moeen Ali Calls Kohli and Rohit’s Retirement a Massive Blow to Indian and Test Cricket

Moeen Ali reflected on the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket, calling their absence a major setback for India, especially ahead of a tough tour of England.

“I remember Rohit playing really well the last time they were in England. The character they have, the leaders they are—both of them have captained India in Test cricket—so yeah, a massive loss for the team,” Moeen said.

Speaking on Kohli’s retirement, Moeen described it as a huge blow to the format itself. “It’s a massive blow to Test cricket. He was the one pioneer, the one guy in Test cricket that always pushed the format. Amazing player, amazing career.”

Moeen further compared Kohli’s influence to that of Sachin Tendulkar, highlighting his impact on Indian cricket and his global appeal.

“He’s done so much for the game, especially in India. After Sachin, he was the guy everybody came to watch. He filled out stadiums, had an amazing record, was competitive, stylish, and a brilliant captain. A big blow to Test cricket,” Moeen added.

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