With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having officially retired from Test cricket, the Indian Test team is entering a significant transition phase. The absence of these two stalwarts leaves a vacuum in both leadership and batting experience, pushing a new generation of players to the forefront.
Key Points on the New-Look Indian Test Team:
- Rohit Sharma’s retirement is confirmed, and Virat Kohli has communicated his intention to step away from Tests, with the BCCI still hoping to convince him otherwise.
- The team will be led by a new captain, with Jasprit Bumrah and Shubman Gill emerging as the leading candidates.
- The squad will feature a mix of experienced names and several players either returning to the fold or making their case through strong domestic performances.
Probable Line-up Without Rohit and Kohli
Based on current reports, domestic form, and selectors’ considerations, the Indian Test XI without Rohit and Kohli could look like this:
| Position | Player | Notes |
| Opener | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Young, aggressive left-hander, already established as an opener. |
| Opener | Shubman Gill | Likely to be a mainstay at the top and a captaincy contender. |
| No. 3 | Cheteshwar Pujara | Veteran presence, though his place is not guaranteed due to recent form. |
| No. 4 | KL Rahul | Experienced, but not considered for captaincy; expected to play as a batter. |
| No. 5 | Karun Nair | Strong domestic season, possible recall after years out of the team. |
| No. 6 | Ajinkya Rahane | Possible return for experience, but not a certainty. |
| Wicket-Keeper | Rishabh Pant | First-choice keeper, though his recent IPL form has been poor. |
| All-rounder | Ravindra Jadeja | If fit and trusted by management, remains a key figure. |
| Fast Bowler | Jasprit Bumrah | Vice-captain/captain candidate, fitness permitting. |
| Fast Bowler | Mohammed Shami | Senior pacer, returning from injury. |
| Fast Bowler | Arshdeep Singh | Young pacer, among the new generation options. |
Other Names in Contention:
- Abhimanyu Easwaran (as per India A captaincy and domestic form).
- Shardul Thakur (for seam-bowling all-rounder role).
- Baba Indrajith, Akash Deep, Tanush Kotian (under BCCI watch for elevation from India A).
- Ishan Kishan (as a wicketkeeper-batter backup).
Transition Challenges and Opportunities
- The new team will be inexperienced at the highest level and will need to prove their readiness for the rigors of Test cricket, especially in challenging overseas conditions like England.
- Leadership will be tested, with the captaincy likely falling to a relatively untested player at this level (Gill or Bumrah).
- The selectors are closely monitoring domestic performances, and the India A tour is being used as a proving ground for several fringe players.
- The team will rely on the remaining experienced core-Jadeja, Bumrah, Shami, and Rahul-to guide the younger players through this transition.
Also Read: Luxury Properties Owned by Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma in India
Summary
The Indian Test team without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is set for a period of rebuilding, with a blend of young talent and a few experienced heads. The likely XI will feature Jaiswal and Gill at the top, Rahul and possibly Pujara or Nair in the middle, Pant as wicketkeeper, and a bowling attack led by Bumrah and Shami, with Jadeja and Kuldeep as spin options. The transition will be closely watched as India navigates a new era in Test cricket.
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