Ind Vs ENG : 3 players who can replace Virat Kohli in First two tests against England
Virat Kohli (Source – X)
Former Captain of India and One of the greatest batters of all time, Virat Kohli withdrawaled his name from the first two Tests against England due to personal reasons. He was the highest run-getter for India in the two Test matches against South Africa. He scored 172 important runs for the team and helped India to level the series.
“The Indian Cricket Board requests the media and fans to respect Virat Kohli‘s privacy during this time and refrain from speculating on the nature of his personal reasons. The focus should remain on supporting the Indian cricket team as they embark on the upcoming challenges in the Test series,” the Indian Cricket Board release stated.
Kohli was in excellent form, and his experience would have been very useful on this kind of Indian surface that could assist spinners from the very first day of the Test. It would have been very challenging for the new look, Indian Test Squad. He consistently performed brilliantly on difficult surfaces over the years.
Let’s take a look and discuss the three players who can replace Virat Kohli in India’s playing XI for the first two Tests vs England:
1. Rajat Patidar
Rajat Patidar has been ruled out of IPL due to a heel injury in 2023. But he came back really well and just made his ODI debut for India, in the recent series against South Africa in Paarl a month ago, he scored 22 runs in just 16 balls but showed his class and fearless approach against the lethal bowling lineup against the Proteas.
Then he scored 33 runs off 67 balls in India A’s drawn match in South Africa. His recent form is excellent, Patidar was one of the brightest stars for India A against England Lions. Patidar scored a brilliant ton in the tour game and then followed up with another century in the first Unofficial Test. His ability to play in an attacking manner makes him a serious contender to take up the number 4 spot for India in the first 2 matches of the Test series in the place of Virat Kohli. He has scored 4000 runs at an average of 45.97 in 55 matches. He is someone, the selectors will surely keep a close eye on!
