Who will replace Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in test cricket? – The Indian test team is going through a transition phase with the selectors having already started to look ahead to a lot of core members like Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, R Ashwin, Inshant Sharma, etc. Now, two of the legends of Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, have also called it a day on their test careers. It will create a vacuum in the test team, and a lot of new players will get the opportunity to fill the big shoes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Today, we will figure out the options of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli replacements in the Indian test team. We will see the possible candidates who can replace Rohit Sharma as opener and the possible candidates who can replace Virat Kohli at No. 4. So let’s begin.

Who Will Replace Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Test Cricket?

After Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s test retirements, the selectors will have to look at the options who will replace Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in tests. There are a few candidates, and some of them might also replace either of them in the test team (which means those players can replace Rohit as opener or Virat at No. 4). We will talk about it going forward in this article.

Let us first talk about the candidates who will replace Virat Kohli in tests.

Possible Candidates Who Will Replace Virat Kohli in Test Cricket

• Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill’s name as Virat Kohli’s replacement is circulating in the media as well. Over the 30-35 years, we have seen two big players, Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli playing at No. 4. Shubman Gill is considered to be the next big thing in Indian cricket. There is also a possibility that he will becomes the next Indian test team captain.

Although Gill’s numbers in test cricket outside India are as impressive, he has the technique to bat at the No. 4 position. He has shown glimpses of his talent and will look to own the important No. 4 spot in the test team, if given.

• KL Rahul

KL Rahul is someone who has a lot of talent, technique, and temperament to became one of the best batter in world cricket. It’s a pity that he has underachieved in test cricket. He has a lot of calibre but his numbers are not showing his true pictures in test cricket.

KL Rahul has done well for Team India over the years, playing at different positions. He opened the inning when needed, played in the middle order at different positions, and kept wickets as well when Rishabh Pant was out of the team due to an accident. He can be a linking pin between the top order and the middle order, playing at No. 4 in tests.

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• Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer started his test career with a bang. But, his performances outside India, his short-ball problems, and injuries along with the exclusion from the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) didn’t helped his cause. He has a decent run in domestic cricket (in days games), and has been doing well in India’s ODI setup.

Shreyas has also done well in the IPL 2025 with the bat and in the leadership. Before Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s retirement news, there were reports that Shreyas Iyer might not be considered for test cricket in the India vs England 2025 Test Series. But now, after Rohit and Virat called their time from the longest format, there is enough space for him to come in. Iyer could be the one who will replace Virat Kohli in test cricket in the future.

• Sai Sudharsan

Sai Sudharsan’s name is going along nicely in the media. He is one of the players who could replace both, Rohit or Virat in the test team. There are reports which suggests that he can replace Rohit as opener in tests. But if the selectors goes with the other opening option, Sai could be the one who will replace Virat Kohli in test cricket at No. 4.

Sai Sudharsan is doing well in the IPL in the last few seasons, has a great outings in domestic cricket, and has done well in a few chances given to him in the Indian ODI squad.

• Karun Nair

Karun Nair is scoring runs on a regular basis, whether it’s a domestic cricket (in all formats), or in the IPL (Indian Premier League). He has played for India in tests before as well.

Nair became the only second India to score a triple hundred in test cricket after Virender Sehwag. Looking at his current form, he could be the option for Virat Kohli’s replacement in tests. He will feature in the India A squad in the upcoming England tour. He might also find a place in the main team.

Outside Chances for Others As Well

There are outside chances for players like Sarfaraz Khan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Rajat Patidar. These three players names will also be in contention in the middle order. But they are currently behind in the pecking order. We might see all three of them playing in the India A against England Lions in the upcoming series.

Now, let us see the candidates who can replace Rohit Sharma in test cricket as an opener.

Possible Candidates Who Will Replace Rohit Sharma as Opener in Test Cricket

• KL Rahul

KL Rahul could be a perfect candidate for Rohit’s replacement in tests. He is also one of the players who will replace Virat Kohli, possibly at No. 4. But if that’s not the case, Rahul has the technique and temperament to become India’s regular test opener. He has done well in the past, at some difficult places like England, South Africa, and Australia, while opening the innings.

• Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill has played for India as opener in the past. He has done well in India as opener and has the ability to do well in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries as well, where the ball swings and seam a lot. He has also played at No. 3 in tests, and if he wants to go back as opener, either Sai Sudharsan, KL Rahul, or anyone else will take the place at No. 3 and 4.

• Sai Sudharsan

Sai is looking like a choice as opener along with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the IND vs ENG tests 2025, as per media reports. He is technically very sound and compact. The left-hander has done well at the top order in domestic cricket, facing the new ball. He could replace Rohit Sharma in tests as an opener.

• Abhimanyu Easwaran

Abhimanyu Easwaran is one of those players who have been forged in the furnace of domestic cricket. He has been in the Indian test team setup for a while. The opener has scored a lot of runs in domestic cricket and for India A in day games. His technique and temperament say he belongs to test cricket and deserves fair chances. He could be the one who will come in and replace Rohit Sharma as opener.

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• Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad is also someone who looks pleasing to the eyes when it comes to technique. He has the temperament, and his performances in white-ball cricket show he belongs to the highest level.

Ruturaj is also in the test setup for a while, but did not get the opportunity yet. But now, it could be his time. We might see him playing tests as well in future.

So these are the candidates who will replace Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the test teams, as of now. We will see all of them either in the India A team or in the Indian test team in the upcoming England tour. What do you think? Who will replace Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in test cricket? Comment on your opinion and prediction below. Thank you for reading. Keep following sportschilly.com for the latest updates.