KL Rahul is missing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, as he used to have the two in the dressing room. The upcoming England Test series will be the first time since 2011 that the Playing XI will not have Rohit or Kohli. Rahul played his first Test under MS Dhoni during the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but it was under Kohli’s tenure that he became a better Test batter.

If Kohli was not in the team, Rohit supported Rahul. With both retired from red-ball cricket, the Indian team is less experienced. Rahul knows that he will have to give more consistent performances.

“Virat and Rohit are the two pillars of Indian cricket, and not having them around is a huge miss. In my career, I have never been a part of a dressing room where there was no Virat or Rohit. The Tests I have played, either Rohit or Virat or both of them have been there,” Rahul told his IPL franchise, Delhi Capitals.

“To walk into a dressing room feels a bit strange. But you have to respect their decision. They gave everything to the country and are legends of Indian cricket. It is time for the rest of us to give our best,” he added.

Rahul started preparation for the England tour once the IPL was over.

“I started the preparations after the IPL. It is always challenging to play against England. We have a young side,” he added.