The recent retirements of Indian batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket have undoubtedly created a significant void in the national team. As India prepares for a challenging five-Test series against England, the focus has shifted to the new generation of batsmen tasked with filling the immense shoes of their predecessors. Amidst these changes, an England pacer has weighed in on India's batting depth, acknowledging the "massive loss" while expressing confidence in the quality of players ready to step up.

Chris Woakes stated that the absence of Kohli and Sharma is a significant loss for cricket. Both players retired from the longest format in May, leaving India with the challenge of rebuilding their team as they enter the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle. However, Woakes feels that even though the duo has retired, India are still be a formidable opponent. He noted that India possesses remarkable depth in their batting lineup and the incoming players are of a high standard. Woakes also added that any batter that you're bowling at, you know, with a new ball or their first 20 balls is susceptible to getting out.

Ben Stokes has also commented on India's batting depth despite the absence of Kohli and Rohit in the upcoming England series. Speaking ahead of England's one-off Test against Zimbabwe, Stokes acknowledged the significant void left by Kohli and Rohit but emphasised India's batting depth and the emerging talent seen in the IPL. He noted that India has an incredible battery of batsmen and one can never take any Indian team lightly, even without two of their great batsmen.

Several promising players are in contention to take on crucial roles in the batting lineup. Shubman Gill is widely tipped to take over the captaincy. KL Rahul is the most experienced batter in the squad and his past success in England makes him a valuable asset. Yashasvi Jaiswal has already established himself as a promising opener with his aggressive batting style. Other potential candidates include Sarfaraz Khan, Sai Sudharsan, and Karun Nair, all of whom have shown promise in domestic cricket.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has also shared his predicted playing XI for the 1st Test against England, backing Shubman Gill to lead and bat at No.4, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal to open, and Sai Sudharsan to debut at No.3. Shastri's picks also include Karun Nair and Rishabh Pant in the middle order.

While the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will undoubtedly be felt, India's rich pool of talent provides hope for a smooth transition. The England series will serve as a litmus test for the new-look Indian batting lineup, offering an opportunity for these players to prove their mettle and establish themselves as key contributors to Indian cricket's future.