IND vs ENG: Cheteshwar Pujara to RETURN, 3 Players who can replace Virat Kohli for India vs England test
IND vs ENG: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on January 22 confirmed that Virat Kohli has pulled out of the first two test matches between India and England for personal reasons. The batter will not be available for selection in the first two games against England, which begins on January 25 and February 02 respectively.
While Virat Kohli's absence can be seen as a massive blow to the team, it can also be a blessing in disguise for the players, who were earlier overlooked during the squad selection.
The BCCI is set to announce a replacement player soon.
It is impossible to find a perfect replacement player for Virat Kohli from the Indian setup. Still, the BCCI would love to get someone who can take up the responsibility of number 4 immediately.
Virat Kohli was due to complete 2000 runs against England in the upcoming test, as he was just nine runs short of completing the milestone. He would be the only 3rd Indian batter to score more than 2000 runs in test games against England.
Below is the list of 3 Players who can replace Virat Kohli in the Indian side during the India vs England test matches:
3 Players who can replace Virat Kohli for India vs England Test
Rajat Patidar
Madhya Pradesh batter Rajat Patidar appears to be one of the frontrunners to replace Virat Kohli for the 1st two test matches against England. The batter generally plays at number 4 for his side in Ranji Trophy games and has also been included in the India A squad to face the England Lions.
Patidar has already made a name for himself by scoring big in the last two Ranji Trophy seasons. While he scored 658 runs in the 2021-22 season, his run ended after scoring 565 runs in the last season.
Talking about his overall First Class stats, the batter has scored 4000 runs in 93 innings for his side at an average of 45.97. Patidar has notched up 12 centuries and 22 half-centuries on his way to 4000 FC runs.
Moreover, to add to his records, Rajat Patidar has also plundered a century while opening the innings against England Lions during a Tour Match in Ahmedabad.
Cheteshwar Pujara
Although veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara has been sidelined following his poor run in the World Test Championship 2023, he can still storm back into the side after Virat Kohli marks his absence for the first two games against England.
To advocate for his comeback, Cheteshwar Pujara has amassed 444 runs in the ongoing Ranji Trophy for his team Saurashtra. The 35-year-old batter has plundered an unbeaten double ton along with a half-century for his side.
The Indian side will need someone who binds the top order with the middle order, the role which Virat Kohli does, and Pujara can be a worthy replacement if the BCCI makes up its mind to call the veteran.
Abhimanyu Eshwaran
Abhimanyu Eshwaran is currently leading the India A against England Lions in the tour game. The batter has featured in the Indian test setup for the last two years but hasn't made his debut yet.
He was part of India's red-ball setup during the recent South Africa tour but got dropped for the upcoming test series against England. The Uttar Pradesh batter can earn another India call-up as a replacement for Virat Kohli.
Abhimanyu has loads of first-class experience under his belt. With over 6500 runs in the FC after playing 155 innings at an impressive average of 46.40, Eshwaran holds a proper chance to storm into the Indian side and mark his debut.
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