David Gower was one of the finest batters to have played for England. Now 68 years old, he is gradually moving on from cricket and is auctioning his cricketing possessions online. He was recently seen at Old Trafford, watching another closely contested Test between England and India.

In the current Test series between England and India, all the experts are talking about Virat Kohli. Many are remembering his heroic performances during the 2021 Test series. Meanwhile, Gower praised Kohli and his strong commitment to the longest format of the game.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Times of India, the English legend said, "It’s the most beautiful animal you’ll come across anywhere. And when people realised it was heading toward extinction, Project Tiger gave it a lifeline. I see Test cricket in a very similar way. I love it when Virat Kohli says Test cricket is the most important thing in his life and career, because that’s like 1.4 billion votes for Tests—if everyone in India follows his example."

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"That is a major fault in the way world cricket is being managed. It shows who has the money and who has the power. I love the way New Zealand play their cricket, and how they’ve taken Test matches to smaller, beautiful grounds and made it look attractive. South Africa doesn’t seem to care about Test cricket anymore, because the only thing that makes money for them is the SA20 league. I use the tiger as an example—the tiger was once in danger of extinction," Gower added.

David Gower said - "I love it when Virat Kohli says Test Cricket is the most important thing in his life, in his career, because that is 1.4 billion votes for Tests if everyone in India follows his work". (TOI). pic.twitter.com/haDtrv5h3S

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) August 1, 2025

David Gower’s Glorious Test Career at a Glance

One of England’s most elegant batters, David Gower scored 8,231 runs in 117 Tests at an average of 44.25, including 18 centuries. In 1985, he enjoyed a "golden season," scoring 732 runs at an average of 81.33 and leading England to a 3-1 Ashes victory. At Edgbaston on 15 August, Gower scored a career-best 215 from 314 balls, and followed it up with 157 at The Oval. In 2009, he was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.

Former England captain David Gower said that he has been a fan of India’s KL Rahul for a long time because Rahul scores his runs in a very pleasing way.

Gower made this comment during the fourth Test between India and England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Rahul played a solid knock of 46 runs from 98 balls in the first innings, taking his total runs in the series to 421. He now averages 60.14 in the series, with two centuries and one fifty so far.

In a recent interview with PTI, the former England batter said, "I've been a fan of KL's for a long time. He's easy on the eye and very organised. He has time. We always say, throughout the history of the game, if someone seems to have time to play their shots — whether attacking or defensive — it's a sign of a good player. So yes, I’m a Rahul fan because he scores his runs in a very pleasing way," he added.

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Gower Sympathises with Rishabh Pant

Former England captain David Gower shared his sympathy for wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who fractured his foot while batting on the first day of the Test.

“I’m really sorry that he’s injured. If this foot injury is serious and he is out of the series, it’s a big loss,” Gower said. “He is a player who does things others can only dream of. Some call them nightmares, but he is a brilliant and extraordinary player to watch. You cannot copy what he does. You can’t ask a young 15 or 16-year-old to bat like Rishabh Pant — that could be harmful to their career."

He added, “When someone like Pant plays such an amazing and unique style of cricket, you can only admire it. He takes the word ‘incredible’ to another level.”

ENGLAND LEGEND DAVID GOWER ON KL RAHUL. [Bharat Sharma from PTI]

"I've been a fan of KL's for a long time. He's easy on the eye, very organised. He's got time. We always say throughout the history of the game, if someone seems to have time to play their shots, whether attacking… pic.twitter.com/TKioDWSwQw

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 26, 2025

Gower Calls on BCCI to Protect Test Cricket

Gower also urged the BCCI — the richest cricket board — to take steps to keep Test cricket in good shape, along with other major boards.

“It takes the powerful boards, and we know BCCI has huge power and influence. But if they can join hands with the ECB and Cricket Australia, and even with smaller boards like New Zealand and the West Indies, then Test cricket can be protected,” he said.

“With good planning, smart ideas, and teamwork, there is still enough time to enjoy both white-ball and red-ball cricket,” Gower added.