India’s gut-wrenching 22-run loss to England at Lord’s on Monday has reopened the debate around the absence of Virat Kohli from the Test setup. Chasing a modest target of 193, the visitors crumbled to 170 all out despite a heroic, unbeaten 61 from Ravindra Jadeja. As the dust settles, attention inevitably shifts back to the void left by India’s former No. 18. Former England captain Nasser Hussain, speaking on commentary during the gripping final day, echoed the sentiment felt by many fans. “No Virat Kohli today. India needs to find a new one. The old one has retired. He was the king of the run chase,” Hussain remarked on air. This five-Test series marks the first time since 2011 that India are touring England without Kohli. Both he and Rohit Sharma called time on their Test careers earlier this year, just days before the squad was announced. Naturally, speculation brewed about how India’s batting would hold up without two of its most experienced heads. Those doubts seemed to fade early in the series as Shubman Gill’s team made an impressive start. Centuries from four of the top five batters, coupled with Rishabh Pant’s aggressive form, temporarily silenced any questions about the leadership transition.
However, at Lord’s, those murmurs returned with force. The top-order collapse exposed the kind of temperament and experience that Kohli had brought to these tricky fourth-innings chases for over a decade. Even as Shubman Gill shows signs of maturing into his role as captain, and Pant continues to deliver with the bat, comparisons with Kohli are hard to escape. Gill’s animated exchanges with Zak Crawley over time-wasting hinted at his growing aggression, but it also reminded many of Kohli’s animated on-field presence — a signature trait fans admired and rivals noted.
Poll
Do you think Shubman Gill has the potential to fill Kohli’s shoes as a leader?
Ultimately, what India missed the most on Day 5 was not Kohli’s aggression or aura, but his batting. In a chase that required a calm head and experience under pressure, Kohli’s absence was felt in every misjudged shot and nervy defence. With England now leading the series 2-1, India face a crucial task ahead. The fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester begins on 23 July, and the team management will be eager to regroup, reassess and respond. Whether someone steps up to fill the Kohli-sized void remains the biggest question hanging over this promising but inconsistent Indian side.
