Former Australian cricketer Ian Chappell believes Virat Kohli’s vast experience will be crucial for India, especially ahead of their challenging England tour, but he stressed that the batter must curb his “senseless antics” to regain his form. Writing for ESPNcricinfo, Chappell expressed confidence that Kohli will eventually find his rhythm but insisted that his return to form depends on achieving more consistency across series.
Kohli had a rough time during the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, despite scoring a century in the first match. His form faltered thereafter, as he was repeatedly dismissed by balls outside the off-stump. Kohli ended the series with just 190 runs in five tests, including the century in the first match.
Chappell also addressed the potential impact of Kohli’s retirement, suggesting it would leave a significant void in the Indian lineup, particularly with a demanding tour of England ahead. He emphasized Kohli’s invaluable experience in the UK and the need for greater consistency, alongside providing mentorship to younger players.
Chappell further raised concerns about the future of fellow batter Rohit Sharma, speculating on the uncertainty surrounding the opening position and captaincy, as Rohit nears 38 and faces a challenging upcoming series.
On the captaincy front, Chappell proposed KL Rahul as a strong candidate, citing his leadership potential in Bumrah’s absence but acknowledging the need for support in both captaincy and bowling departments for India to maintain their competitive edge.
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