With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retiring from Test cricket, who are the likely replacements in India’s red-ball squad?
The outlook of India’s Test team changed following the retirements of two of their stalwarts, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both former Test captains hung up their boots roughly a week apart from each other. This leaves a big void in the Test team in terms of experience. After all, the duo has scored 13,531 runs across 190 Tests. These are not easy shoes to fill, but at the same time, the team must move on.
The immediate next step for the BCCI is to announce a new Test skipper who will lead India into a new era and help identify long-term replacements for the legendary duo in red-ball cricket. While we will know about India’s next Test captain by May 24, in this piece, we will delve into the potential replacements for Rohit and Kohli in Tests.
Abhimanyu Easwaran
A veteran in the Indian domestic circuit, Abhimanyu Easwaran has been on the fringes of the Test team for a long time but is yet to make his debut. The Bengal opener has been a prolific run-scorer in domestic cricket, amassing 7,674 runs in 101 first-class games, and is a regular feature in the India “A” setup.
The 29-year-old is also a strong contender to be named captain of the India A team that is set to tour England shortly. With Rohit Sharma no longer around, this could be the best opportunity for someone like Easwaran to finally get his dues, given his stellar red-ball record.
Read More: Virat Kohli: The leader India wanted in Tests
KL Rahul
The odds-on favorite to replace Rohit Sharma at the top is probably KL Rahul. The right-handed batter, known for his adaptability across roles, has played 83 of his 101 Test innings as an opener. Most recently, he took on the role during the Australia tour in Rohit Sharma’s absence.
Given his experience of opening in challenging overseas conditions, Rahul is likely to get the nod over Easwaran. He has scored 2,803 runs as an opener at an average of 35.03, with seven of his eight Test centuries coming in that position.
Sai Sudharsan
One of the brightest young talents in the country, Sai Sudharsan has made a case for himself to be included in India’s Test scheme of things. While he is currently in the spotlight following his exploits in IPL 2025 for Gujarat Titans, Sudharsan has also had a good run in first-class cricket.
In 29 FC games, the 23-year-old has scored 1,957 runs at an average of just under 40, including seven centuries. One of those tons came while playing for Surrey in the County Championship (281 runs in eight innings). His experience in English conditions should hold him in good stead for India’s upcoming Test tour to England.
However, with Yashasvi Jaiswal being the designated opener, Sudharsan’s chances of replacing Rohit are minimal, as it would mean having two left-handers at the top.
Read More: Rohit to retire from Tests; Who are the likely contenders for captaincy spot?
So, who are all potential replacements for Virat Kohli?
While Rohit’s replacement might seem straightforward, the same cannot be said for India’s No. 4 spot. Virat Kohli held that position for over a decade, and the team will be looking for a long-term replacement—not just a stopgap solution.
Shubman Gill
Potentially India’s next Test captain, Shubman Gill could be viewed as the team’s new and long-term No. 4 batter in the longest format. After starting his Test career as an opener, Gill transitioned to the No. 3 position, where he has batted in 30 innings, scoring 1,019 runs at an average of over 37.
If Gill does drop down a position, it would mean the team needs to find a suitable No. 3 batter. This opens the door for Sai Sudharsan to slot in at No. 3, with Jaiswal and Rahul continuing as the openers.
KL Rahul
In Test cricket, No. 4 is a key position, and any side would want an experienced batter to fill that role. With the departure of Rohit and Kohli, KL Rahul, with 58 Test caps, is now the most capped India batter. Ideally, India would want him to bat at No. 4, but that could leave the top order brittle, as it would mean an uncapped Easwaran or Sudharsan would have to open alongside Jaiswal.
Shreyas Iyer
Another batter who could be in contention for the No. 4 spot is Shreyas Iyer. The right-hander has proven to be a dashing middle-order batter in Tests under home conditions but remains largely untested in SENA nations. So, it would be too hasty on India’s part to name him as Virat Kohli’s replacement just yet.
Sarfaraz Khan
Another option India can consider at No. 4 is domestic cricket stalwart Sarfaraz Khan. The young batter may have made his India debut only in 2024 and played just six Tests so far, but he has already shown the hunger to score big runs in this format. He could serve as a handy back-up option for this slot.
Honourable Mentions: Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal
While these players may not be the first-choice options for India’s Test team, both Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal could be solid contenders for the middle order in the near future. Padikkal has already featured in a couple of Tests, including one at Perth in 2024, and has done reasonably well. Patidar, on the other hand, played three home Tests against England.
While these batters might not be ideal fits for the No. 4 spot, they have a strong chance of featuring at No. 5 or 6 during this transition phase for India.
Read More: Looking back at Rohit Sharma’s three best knocks as Test opener
