India vs England: Virat Kohli and his future in Test cricket depends on Shubman Gill?

Virat Kohli, one of India's most celebrated batters, has found himself at the center of intense criticism over the past few months due to his underwhelming performances in Test cricket. The latest chapter in this saga came during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where Kohli's struggles with the bat became more evident. Despite being one of the key players for India, the 35-year-old could manage only 190 runs in nine innings, a return that left fans and experts questioning his current form. This poor run of scores has fueled concerns over his place in the Test side, as Kohli's form has been inconsistent in the longest format in recent years. His batting failures have come at a time when India is aiming to build a formidable team for upcoming international challenges.

Shubman Gill will decide Virat Kohli's future in Test cricket for the England tour?

While Virat Kohli’s performance in limited-overs cricket continues to be strong, his Test form has been under the microscope, with some critics even speculating whether this could signal the end of an era for the Delhi-born cricketer in the red-ball format. The scrutiny surrounding Kohli’s recent form has grown even louder, with pundits and former cricketers weighing in on whether he should step back from Test cricket and focus on his white-ball career. The pressure is mounting, and Kohli now faces the tough challenge of responding to the calls for his return to form, as India prepares for a series of important fixtures.

The All India Men's Senior Selection Committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, met at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters in Mumbai on Saturday, January 11. The primary focus of the meeting was to finalize the squad for India's upcoming T20I series against England. However, one of the key topics that took center stage was the future of two stalwarts of Indian cricket—Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Both players have been enduring a prolonged slump in form, particularly in Test cricket, which has raised concerns about their place in the team moving forward.

With Kohli and Rohit's struggles in recent months, the selectors are faced with the difficult task of deciding whether they should remain integral members of the team or if it's time to transition to younger talent. Their performances have come under scrutiny, and the committee deliberated on the best course of action, keeping in mind India's evolving needs in international cricket.

According to a recent report by Hindustan Times, Shubman Gill's upcoming performances will play a crucial role in determining Virat Kohli's future in the Indian Test team. With Kohli's ongoing struggles with the bat, the selectors and team management are closely observing the young opener's form. If Gill continues to perform consistently, it could prompt the team to make tough decisions regarding the veteran's place in the squad. Kohli, despite being a stalwart of Indian cricket, has faced criticism for his dip in form, especially in the longest format. The selectors are weighing the option of grooming younger players for future challenges, and Gill's performances may become the deciding factor for Kohli's continuation in the Test side. 

"With the five-Test series against England still five months away, the selectors are likely to sit over the matter before forming an opinion. Shubman Gill hasn’t settled into the Kohli role as he was expected to; nowhere close to how ready Kohli was when Sachin Tendulkar hung up his boots. This is something that will be factored in by Agarkar’s selection committee," the report said.

The Hindustan Times report further revealed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India held an important review meeting to discuss the future of Virat Kohli in the Test team. The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including head coach, the captain, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. BCCI joint secretary Devajit Saikia and former BCCI secretary and ICC chairperson Jay Shah were also present. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the performance of the opening duo, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill, with particular emphasis on Kohli's recent struggles with the bat in Tests.

The discussions revolved around Gill’s impressive rise and his growing potential as a key figure in India’s Test lineup. His form was seen as a possible indicator for determining Kohli’s place in the team moving forward. The attendees explored various scenarios, weighing the prospects of continuity versus introducing younger talent, before deliberating on the next course of action regarding Kohli's role in the national setup.