A relatively young and untested Indian squad is set to take on England in a five-match Test series, beginning June 20. The series will also mark the beginning of the World Test Championship cycle. India will be led by young Shubman Gill. The transition comes on the heels of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket. Notably, the departure of Virat Kohli has sparked a massive discussion that refuses to die down. Ahead of the England series, former England spinner Monty Panesar said he expected Kohli to continue playing for India
"I think he was definitely going to play. I think England were expecting, everyone was expecting him to play. I'm surprised he's kind of like bailed out. But maybe the fact that outside off-stump, he's just thinking, well, you know, they may have had a word with him. They said, look, if you don't score well in the first couple of Test matches, don't expect to play all the five. So, he's probably thinking, well, I'll just call it a day and give the youngsters a go," Panesar told Hindustan Times.
When asked about the outcome of the series, Panesar felt that a lot would depend on how the returning Karun Nair performs for India
"It would depend on how Karun Nair performs, he scored a double-hundred against the England Lions. He and Shubman Gill, that middle-order, how they bat. I think the batters who've played county cricket, if they are able to then transform that same form at the international level, then I think India have got a chance to win."