England all-rounder Chris Woakes said it would be a shame that Indian veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli won’t be there for the five-match Test series. While Rohit announced his Test retirement on May 7, Kohli stunned one and all as he retired from the red-ball version on May 12. The duo’s experience in English conditions would have been imperative but India would look to begin a new chapter in their Test folklore.

Kohli amassed 9230 runs in 123 Test matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. In the last 69 Test innings since 2020, Kohli has managed only 2028 runs at an average of 30.72, including just three centuries.

Rohit played 67 Tests during an 11-year career, leading in 24 of them since taking over the reins of the team from Virat Kohli in 2022. He ends his career with a total of 4301 runs, including 12 centuries.

“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. 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.

Woakes admitted that Indian batters are pretty good despite the absence of Kohli and Rohit.

“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 said on Friday (via ESPN Cricinfo).

On the other hand, Woakes showered praise on KL Rahul, who scored a brilliant century in the second unofficial Test against England Lions.

“KL played really well. Good hundred on a wicket which did a bit all day, there was periods when it went quiet when there wasn’t much in the wicket. I think it did a bit for most of the day,” Woakes said.

The opening Test match between India and England will be played at Leeds, Headingley, from June 20 onwards.