India’s home season began on a quiet note as the first Test against West Indies at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium saw barren stands, a sight that has left Test cricket purists disappointed.

What makes this match historically significant is that it’s the first Test in nearly 15 years without Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma in India’s playing XI. The last such instance dates back to November 2010 in Nagpur against New Zealand.

Both Kohli and Rohit, who retired from Test cricket in May 2025, have been the faces of India’s red-ball game for over a decade. Their absence appears to have cast a long shadow, reflected in the near-empty seats of the world’s largest cricket stadium.

Fans Voice Their Discontent

The sparse turnout triggered a flurry of reactions online.

One fan lamented, “Can’t be

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