These are quite the times for Indian cricket. After suffering a 0-3 loss in a home series and losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia with a 3-1 defeat, the futures of several players are uncertain. Rohit Sharma might be wrapping up his Test career, and Virat Kohli's situation isn't looking great either. With no Test matches scheduled until India faces England in June, Kohli's recent struggles mean it would take a miracle for him to bounce back to his former glory.

But can he do it? Former English cricketer David Lloyd thinks not. He’s convinced that Kohli's best days are behind him. After a rough 2024 where Kohli only scored 414 runs at an average in the low 20s, the former captain is at a pivotal point in his career. At 36, his spot on the team is under more scrutiny than ever, and Lloyd has made it clear to the BCCI selection committee, specifically to chairman Ajit Agarkar, that it might be time for a change.

Virat Kohli is aware that he’s not at his peak anymore, and that realization stings. When India heads to England, you can bet he’ll be hanging around just outside off stump, with the slips ready for action. At 36, he knows what he should be doing, but those quick reflexes start to fade. Ponting mentioned that he played a bit longer than he probably should have. The selectors need to recognize this. Kohli is undoubtedly one of the all-time greats, but he’s past his prime. Coach Gautam Gambhir will have a significant influence on this, given his experience in the dressing room. Time has slipped away for Kohli; his best days are behind him, as Lloyd shared with talkSport Cricket.

When you think about legendary cricketers, one thing they have that others don’t is time. Kohli has lost that time; it’s behind him now. Age brings these changes. Everyone has advice, like “leave the ball” and “watch it till the end,” but those days are over. These bowlers are top-notch, and if he keeps getting out in the same way, especially in Test matches where slips are a given, it’s a clear sign that his reflexes and reaction times just aren’t what they used to be."

Lloyd says Virat Kohli shouldn't bat at No. 4 in England

Lloyd believes that if Kohli heads to England for the five-Test series, he shouldn't be batting at No. 4. But if Kohli isn't the go-to guy for India, then who is? Shreyas Iyer has kind of dropped off the Test scene, and KL Rahul is working on establishing himself as an opener for when Rohit steps back. Rishabh Pant seems to have settled in nicely at No. 5, while Shubman Gill is fighting to hold his spot at No. 3.

As the Indian team goes through a transition, Lloyd is calling on the BCCI's selection committee, led by Agarkar, to focus on the future and discover new talents that could really elevate Indian cricket in the long run.

"When a team is transitioning, it's crucial to find fresh players. That's the job of the selectors, coaches, and captain. There are tons of cricketers to choose from in India, and it's a perfect chance for younger players to shine. If I were part of it, I'd be excited. You might just uncover a new Dravid, Tendulkar, or Ganguly because that's how they all got their start," Lloyd added.

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