With Virat Kohli announcing his retirement from Test cricket, India faces the challenge of filling the crucial No. 4 spot in the batting order. Several players are being considered as potential replacements, each bringing their own strengths and recent form to the table..
Shubman Gill
Gill is widely seen as a future leader of the Indian Test side and has been a consistent performer in all formats. While he has mostly opened or played at No. 3, many experts, including Wasim Jaffer, back him to move down to No. 4 to anchor the middle order.
KL Rahul
Rahul is the most experienced batter in the current setup after Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s retirements. He has successfully adapted to various roles in the batting order and has experience batting in the middle order in ODIs and Tests, making him a strong candidate for the No. 4 spot.
Shreyas Iyer
Iyer has a solid record in domestic and international cricket, with recent performances earning him a recall to the national side. His ability to handle pressure and play long innings makes him a viable option for the middle order.
Sarfaraz Khan
. Sarfaraz has been prolific in domestic cricket, notably in the Ranji Trophy, and impressed with a century against New Zealand. His temperament and technique suit the demands of Test cricket, making him a strong contender.
Sai Sudharsan
Though primarily an opener, Sudharsan’s temperament and recent performances in IPL and domestic cricket have put him in the frame for a middle-order role. Selectors may consider him for No. 4 to maintain a left-right balance.
Karun Nair
Former India captain Anil Kumble has specifically named Karun Nair as his pick for the No. 4 spot, citing Nair’s domestic form and previous triple century in Test cricket.
Rajat Patidar & Dhruv Jurel
Both have shown promise in domestic and A-team cricket. Patidar is known for his ability to play spin, while Jurel has impressed with his temperament lower down the order and could be promoted if needed.
Summary Table: Main Candidates
| Player | Primary Role | Experience/Strenghts |
| Shubman Gill | Top-order bat | Consistent, potential leader, adaptable |
| KL Rahul | Opener/Middle | Experienced, flexible, proven middle-order bat |
| Shreyas Iyer | Middle-order | Domestic & international experience |
| Sarfaraz Khan | Middle-order | Prolific in Ranji, recent Test century |
| Sai Sudharsan | Opener | Temperament, recent form, left-hander |
| Karun Nair | Middle-order | Triple Test century, domestic form |
| Rajat Patidar | Middle-order | Strong vs spin, consistent domestically |
| Dhruv Jurel | Keeper-bat | Temperament, potential for promotion |
Expert Opinions
- Most experts and former players suggest Shubman Gill or KL Rahul as the front-runners, given their experience and current form.
- Anil Kumble has backed Karun Nair as a left-field but experienced option.
- Wasim Jaffer prefers Gill at No. 4, with Rahul and Jaiswal opening.
Conclusion
The Indian team management has several strong options to consider for replacing Virat Kohli at No. 4 in Test cricket. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul are the most likely candidates, but players like Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, Sai Sudharsan, and Karun Nair are also in contention, depending on the team’s balance and long-term vision.
