The cricketing world is reacting to the recent Test retirements of Indian legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, with England's Joe Root being the latest to share his thoughts. As India prepares to face England in a highly anticipated five-Test series, Root acknowledged the significant void left by the departure of these two stalwarts, emphasizing the impact their absence will have on the sport.

"Cricket is poorer without them being around," Root stated in a recent media interaction. He lauded Kohli and Rohit as "two Indian legends" who have "done amazing things for Indian cricket for such a long period of time." Root's comments highlight the respect and admiration he holds for the duo, recognizing their immense contributions to the game.

Kohli, who retired after playing 123 Tests and amassing 9,230 runs, has been a central figure in the Indian team for over a decade. His aggressive batting style, passionate leadership, and unwavering commitment have made him one of the most iconic players of the modern era. Sharma, on the other hand, called time on his red-ball career after experiencing a slump in form. His elegant strokeplay and ability to score big runs at the top of the order have been instrumental to India's success in Test cricket.

Root admitted that he will personally miss the battles he had on the field with Kohli. "I've never been in competition with Virat. He is someone I've always admired, and thought, 'Wow, what a player'. I'll miss those battles we had on the field," Root confessed, setting aside the narrative pushed by fans of a rivalry between the two. He added, however, that their retirement "provides opportunities for other players to try and put their mark on Test cricket."

The departure of Kohli and Rohit marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. Their presence in the team not only brought experience and stability but also inspired a generation of cricketers. With both players stepping away from the longest format, India now faces the challenge of rebuilding its Test team and finding suitable replacements. Shubman Gill has been named India's new captain, with Rishabh Pant as his vice-captain, signaling a new leadership era. The squad also sees fresh faces with Sai Sudharsan earning his first Test call-up and Karun Nair returning after seven years.

While acknowledging the impact of Kohli and Rohit's absence, Root anticipates a highly competitive series against India. "It'll be a slightly different look to the series, but we still expect it to be highly competitive," he stated. He also noted the threat posed by Jasprit Bumrah, while also adding that the key for England would be to focus on the entire Indian bowling attack, instead of singling out Bumrah.

Root also weighed in on the proposal to shorten Test matches to four days. He expressed his disagreement with the idea, citing the potential for more draws, especially in England where rain often plays a factor. He emphasized that some of the greatest Test matches have gone down to the wire on the fifth day, highlighting the importance of preserving the traditional format.

The Test series between England and India is set to begin on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds.