From Karun Nair to Rajat Patidar: Players who can replace Virat Kohli at No.4 in Indian Test team

Star cricketer Virat Kohli has reportedly informed BCCI officials about his decision to retire from Test cricket, although neither Kohli nor the BCCI have confirmed this yet. Reports suggest that Kohli wanted to announce his retirement before the England tour, but BCCI officials have asked him to take more time to think it over. If Kohli retires, it would be a big loss for the Indian team, especially following Captain Rohit Sharma's recent retirement announcement. Here are some potential replacements for Kohli in the Test squad.

In case the team management wants a senior, Karun Nair can be an excellent fit. The 33-year-old has scored tons of runs in domestic cricket, particularly in the Ranji Trophy. He has played 114 first class matches, scoring 8211 runs at an average of 49.16. He has been extremely consistent in the format and might earn a spot for the England tour.

Dhruv Jurel is definitely worth a shot at the number four spot. At just 24 years old, he’s made quite an impression in Test cricket, racking up 202 runs over four matches with an average of 40.40. He performed well against England during the home Test series, although he struggled a bit in the one Test he played in Australia. Still, if India is looking for a long-term solution, Jurel could be a solid choice.

One of the most reliable players in domestic cricket is Sai Sudharsan. In 29 List A games, he has amassed 1957 runs at an average of 39.93. It is highly probable that he will soon be called up to the Test team. He will have the chance to establish himself and secure a permanent position in the team if Kohli decides to retire.

The skipper of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has previously been considered for a Test slot after accompanying the squad to the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final. Gaikwad has scored 2632 runs at an average of 41.77 in 38 first-class games. He has a lot of experience playing for India A and is skilled at handling express pace, which is not a trait that many Indian domestic batters possess.

In the future, Kohli's captain at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) may also be able to take up a middle order position for India.  With only 63 runs to his credit, the Madhya Pradesh batsman has not impressed in his three Test matches for India.  Nevertheless, the 31-year-old has amassed 2211 runs in 63 first-class matches, including four hundreds and 13 scores of fifty or more.  Even though he has had rather disappointing results in domestic red-ball cricket, his ability to play well against spin and hit-the-deck bowling enables him carve out a place for himself.

Devdutt Padikkal, a left-handed batter from Karnataka, rose to prominence after a remarkable domestic season in 2019, leading to his selection by RCB for the 2020 IPL. He continued to perform well in subsequent seasons, earning his first international call-up in 2021 for the Sri Lanka tour. Despite initially struggling with the bat, Padikkal remained in the national setup and eventually earned a spot in the test squad during the England series. He repaid the selectors' faith with a crucial innings in the final test in Dharmsala. Consistent performances have put him in contention to replace Virat Kohli in the Indian test team.

Shreyas Iyer is a talented middle-order batter for India in ODIs. He has the skills and experience to bat at number four, especially in England. He has had success in test cricket, with a century in his debut game and has been in great form since his return to the team in 2025. In his 14 test matches, he has scored 811 runs, including a century and five fifties.