Mohammad Kaif hopes Kohli's Test return 'isn't too late' for Indian remontada

Team India got off to a subpar start to their five-game Test series against England, losing the first Test at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. The hosts gave away the lead to the visitors and will look to level the playing field with the second Test looming around the corner.

Speaking of the side’s performance, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif came forward to opine and highlight the significance of Virat Kohli’s absence from the side for the first Test.

It is worth noting that Kohli will miss the second Test of the series as well, and with the clash approaching, Kaif hoped that it was not too late before Kohli arrived for the third Test.

“I hope it isn't too late till Virat Kohli comes (after the second Test). Dhruv Jurel or on current form, even Sarfaraz Khan can get a look in. But in the absence of KL Rahul and Jadeja, the Indian batting will weaken, no doubt about that. Axar may have to bat at No.8 and that's why I feel Washington Sundar can get a look-in because they want batting till No. 9,” Mohammad Kaif told the Times of India.

Shubman Gill is a very talented batsman: Kaif

Furthermore, Mohammad Kaif gave his take on Shubman Gill’s performance in the first Test. Gill scored 23 runs across the two innings in the first Test, and Kaif opined that he won't always get flat wickets in the longest format and that he will look to make changes in the upcoming game.

“Shubman Gill is a very talented batsman, no doubt about that, but his game is of white-ball cricket and flat wickets which we get in limited overs internationals. But in Test cricket, you won’t get flat wickets, the ball will bounce, the ball will turn, so Gill has to work on his footwork and I am sure that he will make the necessary adjustments and will score runs again,” Kaif said.