Virat Kohli urged to 'end his controversial behavior' with tough selection call looming: 'If he chooses to step down from Tests…'

However, one major concern is that India will not have any Test matches scheduled before the start of their tour to England in June. This means that they will go straight from the IPL 2025 into the five-Test series, which is less than ideal preparation for such a high-profile overseas tour. While there is no practice match scheduled, even if one is added it's uncertain how much it will benefit the team.

However, as tough selection calls await Kohli and Rohit, former Australia captain Ian Chappell has urged Virat to let go of his shenanigans on the field. Kohli attracted a lot of criticism when he shoulder-bumped Sam Konstas in the MCG Test – turning the Australian media against him – and later teased the Aussie crowd with a sandpaper-gate reminder. While Chappell is confident that Kohli will play the England tour, he insisted that he return to form and disassociate himself with his recent controversial acts on the field.

"Kohli's experience in the UK would be invaluable, and of the two problematic players he's the most likely to be resuscitated. However, his consistency needs to improve in addition to dispensing valuable advice to younger players. He also has to stop his senseless antics like shouldering Sam Konstas in the MCG Test. If Kohli does decide to retire from Test cricket, the loss of both him and Rohit would leave a huge gap in the line-up for a tough tour," Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNcricinfo.

Ian Chappell addresses Rohit Sharma's future

The Aussie great remained sceptical of Rohit's future, saying it's tough to see the India captain playing Test cricket going forward. The end of Rohit's Test career – whenever that is – also throws open two questions. Who will be India's next opener and captain? Ideally, Jasprit Bumrah, the vice-captain, would have been the automatic choice for the position, but his workload management has made it tough for the selectors and the team management to thrust him into that role.

"For India the two big question marks are leading batters, and the selectors have tough decisions to make regarding Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The soon-to-be-38-year-old Rohit, facing a crammed five-Test series against England in a few months, is a doubtful quantity. Although India are extremely reluctant to part with star players, lately Rohit has struggled technically and his absence would provide uncertainty over the opening position and the captaincy," added Chappell.

"KL Rahul is a decent opening alternative but the captaincy provides a bigger headache whenever Jasprit Bumrah is unavailable. Bumrah showed in Australia he's an outstanding bowler and a decent skipper, but he needs support in both categories if India are to remain a force."

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