Who can fill the big shoes of Kohli, Rohit?

Bengaluru: The back to back retirement of two Indian legends — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — from Test cricket just ahead of the all-important five-game series against England has left a massive void that is certain to force the selectors and team management into deep thought on how to fill it.

While Rohit took his game to another level since being recalibrated into an opener from the 2019 series against South Africa, Kohli made the coveted No. 4 slot his own, bringing the same sense of security and confidence his predecessor, the great Sachin Tendulkar, brought to the Indian team. Now with both gone in quick succession, DH takes a look at the possible contenders for the two key slots as well as the middle order.

KL Rahul

The immensely-gifted but under-achieving Rahul is the odds-on favourite to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal. A natural opener since age-group cricket for Karnataka, the elegant and technically sound 33-year-old was shunted down to No. 6 since the away series against South Africa in December where he doubled up as a wicket-keeper too. The pattern continued even after Rishabh Pant returned as the management felt Rahul could add solidity down the order. Rahul, however, has made no bones about the fact that his intention is to play as an opener and he got to do that job during the previous away series against Australia, where he made a decent impression with two half-centuries.

Shubman Gill 

Gill, the front-runner to take the Test captain's role, started his career as an opener but the 25-year-old has always maintained that he’s a natural fit at No. 3. He got his wish fulfilled when veteran Cheteshwar Pujara, who occupied that position for a long time, was ignored before the series against West Indies last July. He has averaged 37.74 in 30 innings in his chosen position — almost 2.5 more than his career average — but can the 25-year-old take one for the team and drop a slot below to No. 4? It’s a position he has never batted in top-flight cricket, always occupying the top three slots. But with Kohli gone, India needs someone with similar talent and mindset to take over and who better than Gill, considered the heir to the King’s throne since his age-group days.             

B Sai Sudharsan

There is no denying the fact that Sudharsan is one of the most talented batters in the country now. The 23-year-old has been one of the standout players in the IPL over the last three seasons, often getting Gujarat Titans to blazing starts with his easy-on-the-eye stroke play. The stylish southpaw, in fact, has been making waves since age-group cricket and the retirement of two legends could finally pave the way for his entry. Sudharsan, again, is a natural opener which means either Rahul or Jaiswal may have to drop down. If Sudharsan is handed a debut, then Rahul could bat at No. 4 considering he’s more experienced at handling various challenges. That would also ensure Gill bats at No. 3.      

Shreyas Iyer 

Shreyas Iyer, who returned from a year-long exile due to form and disciplinary issues during the three-match ODI series against England in February, could potentially be recalled for the England series. The 30-year-old Iyer, a gifted stroke-maker who was marked for bigger things as a youngster but couldn’t achieve them, could be an ideal fit for the No. 4 slot. Having struggled to find a permanent place in the Indian team owing to the presence of some stalwarts, this could be the door that Iyer has been waiting all his life. Although he’s highly vulnerable against short-pitched bowling, there’s no harm in handing him a lifeline.       

Karun Nair 

Mumbai: Vidharbha's batter Karun Nair

Not very long ago, Nair seemed lost to cricket itself that forced him to go on social media and plead for a second chance. The cricketing gods answered his call when he was signed up by Vidarbha from the 2023-24 season onwards and since then Nair has been a man on a mission. He’s batted better than he has ever, he has looked fitter than he has ever been and that fire and determination to prove that he is still got it is burning ever so passionately. Nair will mostly get picked for the India A series and if he performs there, then there’s every chance he could return to the national fold. If he does, it would be a natural justice for India’s only other triple-centurion considering England is where he was left a tad humiliated when India summoned Hanuma Vihari and played him instead during the 2018 series. And what better if he bats at No. 4, a slot that he’s comfortable at.

Devdutt Padikkal 

Padikkal is another of those young turks hoping to make a name if selected. A tall elegant batter, the 24-year-old Padikkal has featured in two Tests where he has made a reasonable impression. Padikkal can play as an opener or slot himself in the middle order too.      

Sarfaraz Khan

In the 6 Tests he's played so far, Sarfaraz has given an indication of what he's capable of and what he's vulnerable against. A high-risk high-reward type of batter, Sarfaraz can demolish any attack on his day but that ploy, while highly successful for him in domestic cricket, can backfire in international cricket. England, where the ball talks a lot, could be a tough place for such a type of batter but given how pitches have changed since Bazball, Sarfaraz could be the crack addition to the line-up.    

Dhruv Jurel

Jurel would be the ideal back-up for Rishabh Pant who is expected to be the main man. A typical middle-class boy rising through hardship to earn a Test cap, Jurel has had mixed fortunes in Test cricket but the 24-year-old has the talent to make a statement.