Virat Kohli has been a reckoning force in Indian cricket for more than a decade now. His gifted wrists have delivered the payload handsomely time and time again for the Indian cricket team. With every passing day, he has seemed like a better version of himself and he continues to dispose his duties with a smile on his face.
However, as per the latest reports, Virat Kohli may not be available for the third and fourth Test too which obviously begs the question is India ready to embrace a new name at number four? And if they are, who are the contenders? Here are three names that can be the replacement for Virat Kohli in Test cricket, especially in this series against England.
Nasser Hussain said, “If Virat Kohli is back for the last 3 Tests, then a more ruthless version of the Indian team can be seen on the field”. (Daily Mail). pic.twitter.com/H2vsjtDfdc
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 7, 2024
#1 KL Rahul
It goes without a saying that India will be needing someone experienced enough to step in the boots of Virat Kohli and who better than KL to get the job done? Rahul has left a legacy of wonders in his wake and as things stand if he is able to produce the all-important reliability in the center that has been missing for India for a while now, he will be cementing his position at number four.
#2 Rajat Patidar
Patidar has just started playing Test cricket but if you take a look at his Ranji numbers, it tells volumes about his cricketing stature and his ability to smash the ball by miles. More importantly, he is a good player of spin. With England’s spinners giving a hard time to the Indian batters, they will need someone with a brilliant technique and Patidar definitely files a very strong case for himself.
#3 Hanuma Vihari
A name that left Sydney in awe of his valour, of his selfless nature to inflict pain upon the opposition despite being in agony himself, a name that has done phenomenally well in the Ranji Trophy, he certainly deserves a place in the Indian squad. Vihari must be looked at as a floater considering his ability to score runs anywhere. With Kohli absent from the squad, Hanuma Vihari will make a perfect fit for the Indian cricket team particularly at number four.
