As India gears up for a high-voltage five-Test series in England, two global stalwarts—Herschelle Gibbs and Tillakaratne Dilshan—have shared their thoughts on the massive void left by Virat Kohli’s sudden retirement from Test cricket. The announcement, which came just days after Rohit Sharma also stepped away from the whites, sent shockwaves through the cricketing fraternity. For Gibbs, Kohli’s exit is a natural progression in the life of an international cricketer, particularly given the immense mental toll the game takes at the highest level.
“It happens to everyone,” Herschelle Gibbs told ANI. “There comes a time when the mental fatigue of international cricket catches up. As a batter, especially, that pressure is relentless. Virat is no exception.”
Dilshan echoed the sentiment, acknowledging Kohli’s remarkable contribution to Indian cricket over the past 14 years. As India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Tests—with 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries—Kohli was the rock in the middle order.
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“He’s one of the greatest players India has produced,” Tillakaratne Dilshan said. “It’s never easy to fill a spot left by someone like Virat, especially at number four. That experience doesn’t come overnight. But India will find someone—they always do.”
India enters the England tour with a younger squad and a new red-ball leader in Shubman Gill, prompting questions about whether the team can hold its own in demanding English conditions. But Gibbs is optimistic. He believes India’s next generation has inherited something far more valuable than just a jersey—Kohli’s mindset.
“There’s so much depth in Indian cricket right now,” Herschelle Gibbs said. “These youngsters look hungry and confident. And I think that comes from the culture Virat helped build. He played with self-belief, and that’s rubbed off on this new group. You can see it in their eyes—they’re ready. I think India will be just fine in England.”
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In short, while Kohli’s absence will undoubtedly be felt, both Gibbs and Dilshan agree that Indian cricket is in capable hands, with the next generation poised to write their own legacy in the longest format.
