IND vs ENG Tests: Moeen Ali feels that absence of THESE two players will be huge boost for England

Moeen Ali. Pic/AFP

The absence of Indian batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the Test series in England will give a "massive boost" to the hosts, said former England all-rounder Moeen Ali, adding that Shubman Gill would be the likely choice to lead the side for the gruelling five-match tour, commencing
next month.

Rohit and Kohli recently announced their Test retirements leaving India without two of their most experienced players for the series, which is also the beginning of the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle.

The series will begin with the opening Test at Headingley from June 20.

Also Read: "Was he dropped or is it a personal decision?": Kapil Dev on Virat Kohli's Test retirement

"Definitely, I think this [Rohit and Kohli's retirement] is a massive boost for England. Two top players who've been to England a few times on tour, so they have the experience. I remember Rohit playing really well the last time they were in England. The character they have, the leaders they [are], both of them have captained India in Test cricket, so yeah, a massive loss for the team," the former all-rounder, who retired from international cricket last year, but continues to play in domestic T20 leagues including the IPL, told Sky Sports.

Moeen, who played 68 Tests, scoring more than 3000 runs and taking 200-plus wickets with his off-spin, added that Gill would be a "very good" choice to lead
India despite his inexperience of captaining in the longest format. Gill, who has emerged as the frontrunner to lead India after Rohit's retirement, has never captained India in Tests or ODIs. "I think it will be Shubman Gill.

Ideally, they [BCCI] would want Jasprit Bumrah to captain because he's a very good captain, a good leader who has done it before. But because of his injury record he might not be a able to last the whole series. I think they'll give it [captaincy] to somebody who's done decently so far in Tests. Gill leads Gujarat Titans in IPL, so they've still got a very good captain. Inexperienced, yes, but a good captain and good brain. But it'll be a challenge [in England conditions]," Moeen opined.

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