'Have to drag this Indian Test team forward like Virat did single-'handedly'—Michael Vaughan's stunning statement during ENG vs IND 2025 2nd Test

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has backed the young Indian trio of Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant to carry forward the legacy left by Virat Kohli in Test cricket. Vaughan’s comments came after India’s dominant showing on the first two days of the second Test against England at Edgbaston. Despite losing the first Test at Leeds, India impressed with the bat in both innings and has now bounced back strongly.

Kohli recently retired from Test cricket following a difficult tour of Australia. He left behind an illustrious record, scoring 9,230 runs in 123 Tests at an average close to 47, including 30 centuries. Vaughan believes it will now take a collective effort from the new generation to match what Kohli brought to the team as a leader and player.

"They (Gill, Jaiswal, and Pant) now have to drag this Indian Test team forward like Virat did single-handedly. There's a group of them that I see that play the game the right way. They've got a great chance of leaving a legacy in a few years' time of doing what Virat Kohli did to the Indian Test team," Vaughan told PTI, as quoted by the Economic Times.

Vaughan Praises Kohli’s Legacy, Gill’s Start as Test Captain

Continuing his praise for Kohli’s impact, Vaughan added, "If they can be anywhere near as close as what he brought to the Test match team, the energy and the number-one status for such a long period of time, they'll have done a decent job. I wouldn't be worried about a Test team if I was India. You're always going to produce a very competitive team... I'd want my Test team to be more consistent if I were India."

He also highlighted the role Gill is beginning to play in filling Kohli’s shoes as leader. "Shubman's made an incredible start as a captain and as a player. He's a wonderful player. In terms of batting, I don't think the team will struggle too much. It's that competitive energy that Virat brought to the Test team. He just brought that buzz and that intensity that you require. Tactically, he was very good as well. That'll be something that Shubman can get better at over the years as captain," Vaughan added.

India are currently in a commanding position in the Edgbaston Test, having posted 587 runs in their first innings and reducing England to 77/3 by the end of Day 2.