3 Players Who Can Replace Virat Kohli In India’s Test Team

Five weeks before the start of India’s next England trip, a few reports claimed that Virat Kohli had informed his wish of retiring from the Test cricket to the BCCI selectors.

The pressure will be huge on the Indian side if it happens to start their third cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 in the absence of two veterans, including Rohit Sharma. The Nagpur-born has already called his time in the longest format.

It will be difficult for India to replace the stature of Virat Kohli, who currently has 9230 Test runs in 210 innings at an average of 46.85 and a strike rate of 55.57, thanks to 30 centuries and 31 fifties at the best score of unbeaten 254 runs.

Turning up to the Ranji Trophy game for Delhi at the Arun Jaitley Stadium against Railways at the start of the year sent a clear message of Virat Kohli’s desire to stay in the longest format. But the current news is shocking. However, in his potential absence, it will be important for India to find three players who can replace the veteran on the Indian side.

Here are the 3 players who can replace Virat Kohli in India’s Test team

1. Sarfaraz Khan

In his short six-match Test career, Sarfaraz Khan earned a decent success for India. The right-handed batter has smashed 371 runs in 11 innings at an average of 37,10 and a strike rate of around 75, with three half-centuries and the best score of 150 against New Zealand last year at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

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Sarfaraz has batted in the middle order most of the time in his career. In 82 first-class innings, the 27-year-old has collected 4593 runs at an average of 65.61 and a strike rate of 70.73, thanks to 16 centuries and 14 half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 301 runs.

Having played at number five or six, Sarfaraz has dealt with the second new ball mostly. So, it won’t be a tough job for him in that aspect. He could be an option to replace Virat Kohli at that number-three position. The Mumbai batter has been a little on and off in the five-day format, but can now get a stable place in the side.

2. Rajat Patidar

Rajat Patidar has already played three Tests for India with 63 runs in six innings at an average of 10.50 and a strike rate of 38.41, scoring the best score of 32 runs. It was a very poor time for the right-handed batter during the 2021 home series against England.

But he can start fresh after Virat Kohli’s potential Test retirement. In 116 first-class innings, the Madhya Pradesh captain has clubbed 4738 runs in 116 innings at an average of 43.07 and a strike rate of 54.96, shouldering 13 centuries and 24 fifties at the best score of 196 runs.

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Patidar has shown his great skill against the spinners, which will put him ahead in the reselection of the national side.

3. Sai Sudharsan

There have been talks of Sai Sudharsan getting a chance in the Indian Test side for the England trip. The Tamil Nadu batter has clubbed 1957 runs in 49 Test innings at an average of nearly 40, with seven centuries and five half-centuries at the best score of 213 runs.

If the Indian side decides to go with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul in the opening position or brings Abhimanyu Easwaran, then Sudharsan will be a great option to replace Virat Kohli in the Indian side.