Indian Test Team After Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli: A Peek into the Future
India’s cricket landscape is undergoing a significant transition with the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket. The two stalwarts, who collectively scored nearly 22,000 runs across T20Is and Tests and led India to multiple ICC finals, have stepped away from the longest format, leaving India with tough questions ahead of the upcoming England Test series.
Their departure feels bittersweet. While Rohit and Kohli retired from T20Is on a high note—winning the T20 World Cup 2024 and the Champions Trophy in 2025—their Test retirements come at a low point for the Indian Test team. India failed to qualify for the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) final, and their recent losses against New Zealand and Australia have dented confidence. The England series, a five-match contest running from June to August, also kicks off a new WTC cycle, making a strong start imperative.
Key Vacancies to Fill
India must fill three key gaps: the opening slot vacated by Rohit Sharma, the vital No. 4 batting position left by Virat Kohli, and the lead spinner role previously held by Ravichandran Ashwin.
The spinner’s spot is less of a concern for England’s conditions where spinners generally play a supporting role. Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel are versatile enough to fulfill spin duties while contributing with the bat.
However, filling the opening and No. 4 slots will define the team’s balance and stability.
Who Opens for India?
Rohit Sharma was formidable in England during the 2021-22 tour, scoring 345 runs at an average of 57.50. He combined solid defense with powerful strokeplay, making the most of the new ball. The man best suited to replace him appears to be KL Rahul, who partnered Rohit in that series and amassed 315 runs in four Tests.
Rahul’s adaptability is notable—he has batted across various positions in recent years without complaint. His confident performances in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia showed he remains a dependable player. It may be time for India to settle Rahul firmly at the opening position for the next WTC cycle to build consistency.
Who Bats at No. 4?
Virat Kohli’s dominance at No. 4 was legendary. His ability to shoulder pressure, chase runs, and control innings was key to India’s success. Kohli famously prioritized team wins over personal averages, a mindset that influenced Indian Test cricket for over a decade.
The ideal successor to bring that flair and responsibility to No. 4 seems to be Shubman Gill. Gill’s elegant strokeplay, especially his short-arm jab and driving ability, marks him as an elite talent. Since transitioning from opener to No. 3 in 2022, Gill has shown maturity and skill. The No. 4 spot would offer him the opportunity to anchor innings and fill Kohli’s void.
Who Takes No. 3 if Gill Moves to No. 4?
If Gill settles at No. 4, India must find a reliable batsman at No. 3. Options include Sai Sudharsan, known for his dynamic batting, Karun Nair, who recently had a record-breaking Ranji Trophy season, or Sarfaraz Khan, valued for grit and resilience under pressure.
This is where India’s emerging talent—dubbed Rohit Sharma’s “garden me ghoomne vaale” (the youngsters Rohit nurtured)—must step up. The England series will be a crucial test for these players and set the tone for the next phase of Indian Test cricket.
The Stakes
The series in England will also test the leadership of Gautam Gambhir, India’s newly appointed Test coach. A strong showing could cement his role and the team he has helped shape, while poor results could lead to turmoil and questions about the future direction.
Possible Squad for England
- Batters: Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Sarfaraz Khan, Karun Nair
- All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar
- Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Akash Deep
Travelling Reserves
Arshdeep Singh, Shreyas Iyer, and Abhimanyu Easwaran.
India’s Test future is in the hands of a promising group, tasked with stepping out of the shadows of legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The upcoming England series will be the first true measure of how this new generation adapts and thrives.
IT.
