Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket came up just one month before India’s tour to England. The team now face the challenge of replacing Kohli at number four. Here are the contenders for the spot.
Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz Khan’s prolific run-scoring in domestic cricket earned him a Test debut against England in Rajkot in 2024. The 27-year-old notched up his first Test century later that year against New Zealand. Despite warming the bench during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Sarfaraz remains a strong contender for the number four spot in the long run.
KL Rahul
India’s perennial crisis man in recent years, KL Rahul has shuffled between the top and middle order based on the team’s needs. With the departure of the team’s best batter, Rahul, known for his compact technique, could now be a natural choice for the number four spot.
Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill has long been touted as the future of Indian Test batting. At 25, he’s already played 32 Tests since his debut in Australia in 2020. Although he’s mostly batted at the top of the order or number three, Gill’s shot-making ability makes him a strong contender for the number four spot. A move to this position could be the spark needed to elevate his Test career, which has so far shown promise.
Sai Sudharsan
The only player on this list yet to make his red-ball debut, Sai Sudharsan has been steadily establishing himself as a future all-format star for India. The left-handed batter made his international debut in the ODI format against South Africa in 2023 but has since played just four international matches. However, his strong performances during the India A tour of Australia late last year, along with another standout IPL season, could prompt selectors to hand him a Test cap in the upcoming series against England.
