Chris Woakes On Kohli, Rohit's Absence In ENG Tests: 'Shame They Won't Be...'
Last Updated:
Chris Woakes is disappointed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma won't play in the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy.
Senior England pacer Chris Woakes feels it would be a 'shame' that Indian superstars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma won't play in the upcoming five-Test Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, though he backed the visitors to come up with replacements of 'a very high standard' with proven talent.
India and England will kick off their respective 2025-27 World Test Championship cycles with this series. Both Kohli and Rohit retired from Tests within days of each other last month, prompting the selectors to call upon the likes of Sai Sudharsan — his first-ever selection to the Test side — and Karun Nair — asked to join after a gap of eight years — for the series.
'It's always good to come up against strong opposition going into a Test series that you know is going to be hard-fought," Woakes told ESPNcricinfo on the sidelines of the second India 'A'-England Lions game in Northampton. 'We've had some good battles against Virat and Rohit over the years. For the game itself, it's a shame they won't be there," said Woakes. 'But Indian cricket has so much depth, the players who will come in, I'm sure will be of a very high standard, who have proven themselves some way or the other," he added.
Woakes got Kohli out thrice in eight Tests and Rohit once in two matches.
He has always been a threat against the Indians, especially when playing at home, and showed that again with his three wickets against India 'A' in Northampton. He got rid of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Karun Nair as the visitors scored 348 in the first innings, led by KL Rahul's 116.
'KL played really well, good hundred, on a wicket which did a little bit all day. There were periods where it was a bit quiet, but it was doing something for most of the day. I enjoyed all three to be honest. I felt like I could have a couple more, but pleased with how the ball came out. Most important for me was to get through 17 overs. Ticked box for me," Woakes added.
The first Test begins on June 20 at Headingley.
About the Author
Cricketnext Staff
First Published:
June 08, 2025, 07:54 IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Top 5 rising Indian stars redefining the world of international motor racing
The fast-paced world of motorsport is no longer the exclusive domain of seasoned professionals. A new generation of Indian racers is making its mark on national and international circuits by pushing the boundaries of speed, skill, and ambition. With grit, persistence, and dreams of podium finishes, these five emerging talents are redefining what it means to be an Indian on the global racing Yuven SundaramoorthyAt just 21, Yuven Sundaramoorthy is blazing a trail in the INDY NXT by Firestone series, racing for Abel Motorsports. Born in Wisconsin to a family originally from Madurai, India, Yuven has transitioned from a karting prodigy to an open-wheel racing standout. He became the first Indian American to win a race sanctioned by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, with notable victories at Barber Motorsports Park and the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Backed by two-time Formula One and INDY500 champion Alexander Rossi, Yuven combines raw speed with cultural pride. His journey is poised to inspire a new wave of Indian-origin racers aiming to compete at the very top - including the INDYCAR and INDY500.2. Shriya LohiaAt just 16, Shriya Lohia is making history in Indian motorsport as the nation's first-ever female Formula 4 driver. She began her journey in karting, where she racked up over 30 podium finishes. In 2022, her exceptional achievements earned her the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal the demands of a racing career, Shriya excels as a Class 11 science student, effortlessly balancing academics and her passion for speed. She's not only setting records on the track but also breaking barriers off it - emerging as a powerful role model for young women and proving that talent and determination can challenge long-standing gender stereotypes in motorsport.3. Humaira MushtaqHumaira Mushtaq, from Jammu & Kashmir, stands out as the region's first and only professional female racing driver. She began racing go-karts at four, advanced to Rotax karting by six, and later moved into Formula 2, Formula 3, single-seaters, and GT gained international attention as the first Indian woman to compete in the British Endurance Championship. With accolades such as the Mission Shakti Award and the FICCI FLO Trailblazer Award, Humaira is now proudly representing India in European and Middle Eastern racing circuits.4. Jehan DaruvalaJehan Daruvala is steadily becoming a household name in Indian motorsport. Competing in the fiercely competitive FIA Formula 2 Championship, he has already notched several podiums and race wins. Starting in karting, Jehan rose through elite racing ladders including Formula Renault, FIA European Formula 3, and Formula a former Red Bull Junior Team driver, he has proven himself not only quick but also composed under pressure. With his experience and racecraft, Daruvala is widely tipped as a strong candidate for a future Formula 1 Arjun MainiArjun Maini isn't just another name on the racing roster-he represents a new generation of Indian motorsport heroes making their mark on the international stage. Starting his career in karting, he quickly climbed the ranks through FIA Formula 3 and Formula 2, consistently proving his skill behind the wheel. As the first Indian to compete in Formula 2 and with strong showings in events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Maini has transitioned seamlessly into endurance racing. With growing experience, sharp adaptability, and relentless perseverance, he is fast becoming a name to watch in global Reel
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
It's a shame that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma won't be playing Tests: Chris Woakes
England all-rounder Chris Woakes has said that it's a shame that Indian batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will not be a part of the upcoming series between the two teams. India and England are set to take on each other in a five-match series set to begin from June of the all-important rubber, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their retirements from the longest format, leaving massive holes in the Indian batting line up. As the India and England Test series draws closer, Woakes recalled his battles with Rohit and Virat and said it's a shame that the duo won't be playing the upcoming always good to come up against strong opposition going into a Test series that you know is going to be hard-fought. We've had some good battles against Virat and Rohit over the years. For the game itself, it's a shame they won't be there,' Woakes told ESPNCricinfo. Furthermore, Woakes said that Indian cricket has enough depth to fill in the massive shoes left by the two stars.'But Indian cricket has so much depth, the players who will come in, I'm sure will be of a very high standard, who have proven themselves some way or the other,' claimed the Englishman,' he the upcoming series will also be the first assignment of India's new Test captain Shubman Gill, who's been entrusted with the leadership duties following the retirement of captain Rohit Sharma. The 24-year-old has led Gujarat Titans (GT) in two seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and took them to the playoffs on the second batter Rishabh Pant has been appointed as his deputy and the duo will have the massive task of guiding the team to their first series win in England since 2007. India narrowly missed out on winning the series in the previous tour as England won the rescheduled fifth Test to level the series 2-2. Hence, India's young brigade will aim to begin the new chapter of Test cricket by beating England in the upcoming rubber.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
D Gukesh heartbreak paves way for Magnus Carlsen in Norway Chess
D Gukesh and Magnus Carlsen at Norway Chess (Images via X/@NorwayChess) D Gukesh failed to see the knight fork. And when it was on the board, the pain was difficult to hide. The 19-year-old record-breaking world champion did not cry. He did not bang the table either. But he was inconsolable, sitting stunned in his chair, covering his face and forehead. He remained in the chair, not making eye contact with anyone and turning the chair the other way, making his face less visible. Fabiano Caruana had given a lifeline to Gukesh in the 10th and last round by missing some tactics in a thrilling endgame in Stavanger on Friday. The winning position for the American turned dead equal when Caruana made a dubious pawn push on the 47th turn in the queen, knight, bishop and pawns vs queen, rook and pawns endgame. He failed to see a forced sequence that would have given him extra bishop in queen and pawns each climax. But Gukesh made a cardinal mistake of queening his d-file pawn in a hurry. The knight fork (for rook and queen) which gave him quite a heartburn. Moments earlier, Magnus Carlsen had just managed to draw with Arjun E,rigaisi and jumped to a minimum 16 points in a topsy-turvy game, meaning a classical 3-0 win for Caruana would be still short of Carlsen by at least half a point. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Poll Who do you believe will be the next big contender against Magnus Carlsen? D Gukesh Fabiano Caruana Arjun Erigaisi But if Gukesh had held his position to a draw in time trouble, he could have caught Carlsen level on points with a win in the Armageddon (worth 1.5 points) and Carlsen losing the Armageddon (worth one point). That would have set up a blitz tiebreak between Carlsen and Gukesh for the title. But Gukesh let this opportunity slip away. For a change, lady luck smiled the other way. Minutes later, Carlsen indeed lost his Armageddon game against Arjun with black pieces. But it was still good enough to be clear first and clinch the Norway title for the seventh time. Virat Kohli's love for 'dhaba' food, priority for family & more | RCB bus driver shares stories Earlier, Anna Muzychuk failed to beat R Vaishali with white pieces in a winning position in the Armageddon game. The draw with white pieces (hence technical defeat in 10 mins vs 7 mins scenario) meant she finished on 16.5 points and had to wait for Humpy's result. Since the Indian veteran could only draw with women's world champion Ju Wenjun after a temporary knight sacrifice in the classical game, Ukraine's world No. 7, Muzychuk (Elo 2535), took an unassailable lead. It was the first Norway title for the Olympiad winne
