India will play a five-match Test series against England, starting June 20 at the Headingley in Leeds. For the first time in years, the Indian Test team will walk out without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Rohit and Kohli, who have now retired from the Test format, were important to India’s success. Rohit took over as India’s captain in Tests in 2022 and brought stability at the top ever since he started to open. Kohli was the backbone of India’s middle-order in tough overseas conditions. Replacing them won’t be easy, but the team management now has a chance to build a new core.
With England’s bowlers likely to test India with pace and movement early on, choosing the right replacements for the first Test becomes even more important. The team management, including captain Shubman Gill, will have to pick players who are ready to take on responsibility.
Advertisement
India Begin Life After Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli: Who Fills the Big Shoes?
- KL Rahul
In Rohit Sharma’s absence, India will need to finalise a new opening partner for Yashasvi Jaiswal. The most straightforward option is KL Rahul. He has opened in Tests before and even scored a century at Lord’s during the 2021 tour of England.
In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Rahul opened the innings when Rohit missed the Test matches. He showed that he has the technique to handle the new ball and played a 77 and an 84-run knock in the series.
- Sai Sudharsan
Another option is Sai Sudharsan. The 23-year-old left-hander has played County cricket in England. He is yet to make his Test debut but has shown good temperament in pressure situations. If India want a left-right combination at the top and are willing to invest in youth, Sudharsan is a serious contender.
Advertisement
- Shubman Gill
Replacing Virat Kohli in the middle-order is an even trickier task. Shubman Gill has been a regular at No. 3 since Jaiswal’s Test debut but could now move to No. 4 spot vacated by Kohli. Gill has found it hard to tackle the moving ball in the past and in England, this weakness could haunt him even more. Logically, it could prove to be beneficial for him as well as India if he bats at four.
- Karun Nair
Another possible choice is Karun Nair, who famously scored a triple century in just his third Test but has remained on the fringes ever since. He has worked his way back into the Indian Test team. Nair smashed a double hundred against England Lions recently in the first unofficial Test. If India want to go for experience, Nair could be their man to replace Kohli.
Also read: England Predicted XI for IND vs ENG 1st Test
