3 Players Who Can Replace Virat Kohli At Number 4 In England

India will feel the lack of experience in the Test side after a long time with two veterans- Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma- announcing their retirement in just three days. Many expected the Delhi-born to go to England one last time for the upcoming five-match series.

However, the blue brigade has got the chance to use the fresh and young legs for the red-ball series. Shubman Gill will lead the team with the aim to qualify for the final of the fourth World Test Championship (WTC) 2027-29 cycle, after their failure in the previous edition.

Virat Kohli has a decent Test record in England. The right-handed batter has collected 1096 runs in 33 innings at an average of 33.21 and a strike rate of 51.92, thanks to five fifties and two centuries at the best score of 149 runs at Edgbaston.

In Kohli’s absence, the team management will need to find a few replacements for that position. Batting at number four requires versatility with the responsibility of seeing off the new ball or playing well against the reverse swing in foreign conditions.

Apart from the batting, it will also be important for someone to increase the intensity of the side in dull periods, as Virat Kohli used to do.

Here are the 3 Indian players who can replace Virat Kohli at number four in England

1. Shubman Gill

As the reports have claimed, India is expected to use their captain, Shubman Gill, at number four in the batting order to replace Virat Kohli. The right-handed batter hasn’t performed at that position yet. However, he has batted a few times at number three.

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Gill has thumped 1019 Test runs at three in 30 innings at an average of around 38, thanks to three centuries and as many half-centuries. Both are different places, with the number four providing a chance to carry the batting to a safe position.

The Punjab-born, being a captain, will need to take the huge responsibility of an experienced batter who has carried the burden of the team for a long time. Gill should enjoy the position due to his aggressive style to counter the tired bowlers with the old delivery.

2. KL Rahul

The right-handed wicket-keeper batter of India, KL Rahul, is another good option to bat at number four. He has batted twice in his position in the longest format to collect 108 runs at an average of 54 with the best score of 86.

Rahul has shown his technique and class against the pacers, which should allow him to bat freely in this position. The Karnataka batter has opened a lot for the two-time WTC runners-up to nail 2803 runs in 83 innings at 35.04. That will always help him counter the new ball.

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Rahul is also an experienced campaigner in this Test side for nearly 11 years and will now need to take care of the crucial situations after Virat Kohli's retirement.

3. Rishabh Pant

The left-handed batter for India, Rishabh Pant, is an aggressive batter and could prove to be a vital member at four for the national side in Tests to replace Virat Kohli. He has batted only once at the fourth position to get nine runs.

Most of his runs have come at five. Pant has accumulated 1301 runs in 26 innings for the Blue Brigade at five at a strike rate of more than 80 with an average of 54.21. He has also celebrated nine fifties and two centuries at the slot.

However, if the national side needs, Pant has all the skills to bat at number four in the longest format.