3 players who can replace Virat Kohli in the India Test batting line-up

It was a huge shocker for the millions of fans and the entire cricket fraternity when modern-day run-machine Virat Kohli announced a sudden decision to retire from Test cricket through a social media post on May 12, 2025. This massive announcement came just a few after Indian captain Rohit Sharma also decided to hang his boots from the longer format of the game. With two of the legendary batters called time on their Test careers, this has a created big void in the Indian batting line-up ahead of the important India vs England five-match Test series scheduled to begin with the ENG vs IND 1st Test match starting from 20 June, 2025. In this blog post, check out the three major contenders who can replace Virat Kohli in the Indian Test batting line-up. 

Top three contenders who can replace Virat Kohli in the Indian Test batting line-up

1. Shubman Gill

After Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announcing their retirements from Test cricket, star batter Shubman Gill is being touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket especially in the longer format of the game. He is very much likely to take over the reigns from Rohit as the next India captain in Test cricket with wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant set to be named as his deputy. While considering Shubman Gill stats in Test cricket so far, the right-hander has scored a total of 1893 runs from 32 Test matches at an average of 35.06 that includes as many as 7 half-centuries and 5 hundreds. Going by India's current batting line-up in Tests, the right-hander is slotted at the number three position after he himself asked the team management that he wants to shift one down from opening the batting earlier in the longer format of the game. 

According to multiple sources, Shubman Gill is expected to replace Virat Kohli at the number four slot from the upcoming England vs India five-match Test series. However, in order to leave a signifcant mark in Test cricket, Shubman will have to make major improvement in his batting records outside the subcontinent. 

2. KL Rahul

Honestly, it is quite challenging and pity being KL Rahul at this point both in white-ball and red-ball cricket as his batting positions and role keeps on changing with every next series. During the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, the right-hander opened the batting in three out of the five Test matches, having experienced fine outings with the bat Down Under. While talking about KL Rahul stats in Test cricket so far, he has managed to notch up a total of 3257 runs from as many as 58 matches at an average of 33.58 that consists of 17 half-centuries and 8 hundreds. The Indian think tank might explore the idea of batting KL Rahul at the important number four position. However, Rahul performed impressively well while opening the batting during the last Test series in England where he also scored a remarkable century at the Lord's. 

3. Karun Nair

Karnataka's right-handed batter Karun Nair holds an elusive record in the history of Indian cricket as he is the only second batsman to score a triple hundred in Test match cricket after Virender Sehwag. He achieved the feat against England during a home Test match in 2016. However, after that sensational innings, he seemed to have vanished quite instantly from the longer format of the game. While talking about his numbers in Test cricket, Karun Nair has composed 374 runs from a total of 6 Test matches at a fantastic average of 62.33 that includes a solitary century. His stocks have suddenly experienced a massive rise after stunning performances in the Indian domestic circuit and thus, he is very much likely to make a comeback at the number four spot during the upcoming India vs England Test series.