"It's a shame.."- Chris Woakes on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli not playing ENG vs IND series

Chris Woakes is part of the England squad for the first test against India.

All-rounder Chris Woakes is part of the England squad for the first test of the upcoming five-match series against India. Woakes is also playing in the ongoing unofficial test series between England Lions and India A. The second unofficial test is underway at the County Ground in Northampton.

The Indian Cricket Team will be led by new skipper Shubman Gill in the England test series. Notably, India will miss the services of two batting legends- Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both players announced their retirement from the red-ball format last month.

While Sharma was the former skipper of the side, Kohli held the crucial number four position in the test team. After their retirements, the Indian Cricket Team will need solid members to fill both the vacant slots. Sharma and Kohli’s sudden retirement from test cricket shocked many cricketers around the world, and Waokes is one of them.

It’s a shame that they won’t be there – Chris Woakes

During a chat with ESPNCricinfo, Woakes said it is a shame that Sharma and Kohli will not be present in the tests anymore. He also added that he had good battles with both of them in the past.

“Had some good battles with Virat and Rohit over the years. For the game itself, it is a shame that they won’t be there”, he said.

However, the England all-rounder also added that his team will have a tough challenge against India despite the absence of two legends.

“But Indian cricket has so much depth that players that come in, I am sure they will be of very high standard who would have proven themselves in some way or another. They’ll be hard, regardless of the conditions, where you are playing them. Indian batters are always pretty good. It’ll be a tough challenge,” Woakes added.

Meanwhile, the England vs India test series will commence with the first test at Headingley in Leeds from June 20. India’s tour of England 2025 will conclude with the fifth test, scheduled to be played from July 31 to August 4 at Kennington Oval in London. Notably, India have not won a test series in England since 2007.

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