Ollie Pope plays mind games with Gautam Gambhir using ‘India will miss Virat Kohli’s chirping’ message

Team India will have their task cut out against England in the upcoming five-match Test series. The series will mark the beginning of a new phase in Indian cricket.

Team India will have a new captain and will be without two of the most decorated batsmen of this generation - Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to miss England Tests

Both Kohli and Rohit recently announced their Test retirement while Shubman Gill will be the new captain.

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Even some of the strongest Indian teams have struggled in England in the past. So, it is not at all surprising that many expect the current Indian team to struggle in the upcoming series. While only time will reveal how things unfold for the Shubman Gill-led side, England star Ollie Pope has said that the visitors will miss the aura of Kohli.

It's a young team - Ollie Pope

Speaking ahead of the Test series, Ollie Pope stated that the current Indian team is young but also admitted that the team is filled with talented players. At the same time, the England batsman mentioned that Kohli's absence will be a big blow for the tourists. He stated that the Indian team will not only miss Kohli's services with the bat but also his aura and his chirping at the slip cordon.

"It's a young team, but these Indian players… they have got so much depth and talent. So they've got a lot of young guys coming through; a lot of good players. Shubman Gill, their new captain, is a fantastic player.

"They will miss the aura of Virat Kohli standing at slips and chirping away. But they have got some good talent, so they will feel confident. But our players are ready for it," Ollie Pope said during an interaction with talkSPORT cricket.

It's a great time for us to play India - Ollie Pope

Speaking further, Ollie Pope also said that facing India will be a great opportunity for England to test themselves against a quality side.

"It's a great time for us to play India. Last summer, we had the West Indies and Sri Lanka, but with India coming over, the level of quality that they will bring is a great way for us to focus on that and not look ahead. So yeah, for us, it's the perfect time to play India, and then once the Ashes come around, it will be exciting," Pope pointed out.

The much-awaited series is scheduled to begin on June 20. The first Test will be played at Headingley in Leeds. India have not won a Test series in England since 2007 and will be eyeing a famous series victory. On the other hand, England have not won a series against India since 2018 and will look to end the unbeaten run.

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