Former England opener Geoffrey Boycott said that former India captain Rohit Sharma won’t be missed as much as Virat Kohli in Test cricket due to his stunning performances in the longest format of the game. However, Kohli and Rohit retired from Tests in May this year, just before the England tour, with Shubman Gill appointed as the captain.

Writing in his column for The Telegraph, Boycott wrote, “Rohit was a superb batsman. At his best, a beautiful stroke player, but he won’t be missed as much as Kohli because his Test record was good rather than exceptional. Rohit was never a natural athlete like Kohli and he knows that opening the innings in England can be pretty tough because the new ball moves around more. You really have to be up for the challenge to have any chance of success.”

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However, the England legend also said that the retirements of Kohli and Rohit will hurt India’s chances during the tour of England as well. Boycott also feels that Kohli will be the biggest loss as he was one of the best batters in all three formats of the game.

“The retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma hurts the chances of India beating England. Kohli is the biggest loss as he has been their best batsman and talisman in all three formats. With so much international cricket played by India, and so little rest, it takes its toll and the mind becomes fatigued. It does not matter how much talent or experience you have, if you are not mentally fresh and up for the challenge then it becomes draining,” concluded Geoffrey Boycott.