Former England wicketkeeper Roland Butcher believes that the Indian cricket team will feel the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Test matches, especially after their retirement from the red-ball format in May. Butcher highlighted that India will miss their match-winning capabilities. According to him, Rishabh Pant is the only current player who possesses that quality.

Butcher acknowledged that the players replacing Rohit and Virat are talented but noted a distinction in their approach to scoring runs. He suggested that while the replacements are capable of accumulating runs, they might do so at a pace that doesn't put India in a winning position as quickly as Rohit and Kohli could. He anticipates a transformation period for Indian cricket over the next couple of years, emphasizing the need to identify and nurture match-winning batsmen. He reiterated that Sharma and Kohli's absence would be a significant loss for the team.

Following Virat and Rohit's exit from the red-ball format, the Indian management has placed its trust in Shubman Gill, viewing him as Rohit's successor. India's youngest Test captain was given the responsibility of leading the team in a five-Test series in England. Despite moments of brilliance, there were instances where the team seemed to miss the experience and dynamism of Rohit and Virat.