Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said that replacing players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is not easy, but if any country can do it, it's India. The India stalwarts announced their retirement from Tests weeks before the five match Test series. Both Rohit and Kohli were going through a lean run in Test cricket, and questions were raised about their place in the team.

The retirements did surprise many as Rohit, during a podcast, had said that he wants to lead India in England. Kohli, too, played a Ranji Trophy match after the Australia tour, hinting that he wants to play the Test series in England. However, weeks before the squad announcement, both veterans drew curtains on their Test careers.

Ponting said skill-wise wise India will find suitable replacements, but the team will miss their experience.

“It’s always very difficult to replace players like that who have been around for so long and have played so much Test cricket. But if any country can do it quickly, it’s India because of the young talent they have," Ponting was quoted as saying by The ICC Review.

“I’ve seen it firsthand over the last 10 years in the IPL, and we’ve witnessed the emergence of players like (Yashasvi) Jaiswal who have transitioned to international cricket with India and performed well almost immediately.

“While replacing the skill is one aspect, which I believe India can do relatively easily, the experience is the key element that will be missing. Even with a young captain like Shubman Gill, they will still have some experienced players like KL Rahul and Bumrah around.

“In a rebuilding phase, I think India can handle it better than most other teams," Ponting added.

The India tour of England will start on June 20, with the first Test scheduled at Headingley.

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