Daijiworld Media Network- London
London, Jun 18: Despite his recent retirement from Test cricket, former Indian captain Virat Kohli continues to maintain a close bond with Team India, hosting several key players at his residence in London ahead of the high-stakes Test series against England. According to reports, the likes of newly appointed Test skipper Shubman Gill, vice-captain Rishabh Pant, and pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj visited Kohli for an informal gathering as they prepare for the five-match series starting June 20 at Headingley.
In a video released by RevSportz, the players were seen spending a relaxed evening at Kohli’s London home, highlighting the camaraderie between the former stalwart and the new generation of Indian cricketers. This series marks a new chapter for Indian Test cricket, with 24-year-old Gill taking the reins from Rohit Sharma, who, along with Kohli, bowed out of the red-ball format following the IPL 2025 season.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, England’s legendary pacer James Anderson reflected on his illustrious 21-year Test career and shared insights on his iconic duels with Indian batting greats Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. Speaking to talkSport, Anderson admitted that while he enjoyed bowling to both, Kohli proved to be a tougher challenge.
The 42-year-old recalled his early success against Kohli during the 2014 tour, when he exploited the batter's weakness outside the off stump. However, he acknowledged that by the 2018 series, Kohli had evolved dramatically, neutralizing that flaw and transforming into a different player altogether. Anderson noted that while Tendulkar remained consistently formidable, Kohli brought a distinct aggression and mental resilience to the contest.
“There was a definite shift with Kohli. He wanted to engage in a battle—very competitive, very intense. It became much harder to bowl to him,” said Anderson, who dismissed Kohli seven times in Tests, and Tendulkar on nine occasions. He described Tendulkar as “God-like,” while labeling Kohli as someone who thrived on confrontation and pressure.
As the Indian team ushers in a new era under Gill’s leadership, the visit to Kohli’s residence serves as a symbolic passing of the torch—one generation inspiring the next, with Kohli continuing to play a mentor-like role off the field even after his exit from the longest format of the game.