India will usher into a new era of Test cricket when the India vs England series kicks off. Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have all retired, with a new Indian test captain set to be announced in the coming days. Coach Gautam Gambhir and his new captain have a job on their hands – find a new No.4.
Virat Kohli successfully led that transition from Sachin Tendulkar, more than a decade ago. Over the last 3 decades, India’s No.4 has been a spot of consistency and very little change. Now, India is tasked with finding a replacement that will hold his place in the line up for years to come. Replacing Kohli’s record at No.4 is no mean feat, and Gambhir and Co will have to be creative with the options they have under their disposal.
Here are some of the top options to take up Virat Kohli’s mantle:
Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill is the favourite to be named India captain after Rohit Sharma’s retirement. Often dubbed as the heir to Kohli’s throne, the 25-year-old could well take up that mantle now that Virat has retired. Gill has opened the batting and batted at No.3 so far in his career with mixed returns. A move to No.4 could be a positive change for the Gujarat Titans skipper. It would also be a bold first move as Test captain. At No.3, Gill has 1019 at an average of 37, slightly better than his numbers at the top of the order. Most sides have their best batter batting at No.4 in Test cricket, and Gill could arguably justify that move better than most.
Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer has had a stop-start Test career since making his debut in 2021. In 14 Tests, Iyer averages 36.86 with 5 50s and a century to his name. The Mumbai batter largely bats in the middle order, having batted at No.5 or No.6 in his short career with Team India. He usually bats at 4 or 5 for Mumbai as well, and scored 480 runs in 7 Ranji Trophy innings this season. Both Kohli and Sachin initially started their careers lower down the order before making the move to No.4. Like the duo, Shreyas is also an aggressive stroke maker and has leadership potential.
Sai Sudharsan
Sai Sudharsan has been in the form of his life over the past couple of years and is on the cusp of a call-up to the Indian team. An assured top-order batter, the 23-year-old’s risk-averse approach has seen him earn plaudits. The stylish left-hander has scored a mountain of runs for Gujarat Titans in the IPL in the last 2 seasons. He also has Country experience, having featured for Surrey. In his 3 Ranji Trophy games this season, Sudharsan scored 304 runs, including a double century. The left-hander like Gill, bats at No.3 in FC cricket, but could make a move to No.4.
Karun Nair
Karun Nair last played a Test match for India in 2017. However, following a record-breaking domestic season, the 33-year-old could force his way back into Team India plans. Nair scored 863 runs in the Ranji Trophy at an average of 53.93 to help Vidarbha to seal the title. He followed it up with 779 runs in 9 games in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, in his side’s defeat in the finals. Only the second Indian to hit a triple century, Karun Nair has forged a great redemption story and the India vs England story could be where he makes a comeback.
India vs England: Wildcards to replace Kohli?
KL Rahul could well take up the mantle should Gambhir opt to bring the Karnataka star to the middle order again. The veteran has moved up and down the order throughout his career. He seemed to have forged a good partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top of the order. Should India break that, Rahul could very well be an option to take up the No.4 spot.
Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal, both Kohli’s teammates at RCB, are also considered as options. The duo made their debuts in the home series against England. Both had middling returns but with the team in transition, could be offered a longer rope.
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