The legendary Sachin Tendulkar recently mentioned that Virat Kohli's absence will leave a noticeable gap in the Indian team's lineup for the Australian Test series, though he believes this opens a door for younger talent to shine.
Kohli is only set to captain the side for the first Test in Adelaide, kicking off December 17, as he needs to return to India for the birth of his first child. Meanwhile, a few veteran cricketers have suggested it might be time for Kohli to permanently delegate some of his captaincy responsibilities.
Avoiding the politics of who should lead, Sachin Tendulkar pointed out that India's deep pool of talent will be crucial for winning the series in Australia. In an interview with AFP, he admitted that losing a powerhouse like Kohli undoubtedly leaves a void in the squad.
During his interview with AFP, the legendary Indian cricketer said when a team loses an experienced player such as Kohli there is without any doubt a void that will form in the team.
However, Tendulkar stressed that this is about the team's resilience rather than individual stars, noting that India's current strength lies in having a reliable group of backup players ready to step in.
The 'Master Blaster' remarked that Kohli's departure for personal reasons provides a prime opportunity for young players to fill his shoes and demonstrate their capabilities to both the world and the national selectors.