5 players who could bat at number 4 for India post Virat Kohli's Test retirement ft. Shubman Gill
Former India captain Virat Kohli dropped a bombshell earlier today (May 12) when he announced his retirement from Test cricket following the footsteps of Rohit Sharma. Reports had started to do rounds that he had made up his mind to retire from the longest format and finally the announcement was made.
His retirement means India will be without two of their stalwarts with Rohit Sharma also retiring last week ahead of the five-Test tour of England. In this transition phase of Indian cricket, Shubman Gill has emerged as the frontrunner to take over the captaincy reins from Rohit Sharma.
Kohli endured a torrid run during the home Test series against New Zealand last year, scoring just 93 runs in six innings. He followed it up with another tough series during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia where he scored just 190 runs in five Tests with a century in Perth which remained his only highlight of the series.
He was expected to be part of the England tour as he also played a Ranji Trophy game earlier in the year but took to his Instagram handle to announce his decision of stepping away from the whites.
In an emotional note on Instagram, Kohli wrote
“It's been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It's tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I'll carry for life. There's something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever
"As I step away from this format, it's not easy - but it feels right. I've given it everything I had, and it's given me back so much more than I could've hoped for. I'm walking away with a heart full of gratitude - for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every single person who made me feel seen along the way. I'll always look back at my Test career with a smile,” said Kohli.
Kohli’s retirement also means that the number four spot will be up for grabs for the tour of England. Here are five players who can be the potential number four for India in Tests going forward:
#5 Devdutt Padikkal
The stylish left hander top order batter could be looked at as an option to take up the number four role in the near future for India. Padikkal has transitioned into the Test side and made a half century against England last year. He was also part of the Indian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
He couldn't quite make a significant impact but showed glimpses of what he is capable of in some of the matches Down Under for India A. He scored a brilliant 88 in the first unofficial Test against Australia A ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and looked very confident in his strokeplay.
With six first-class tons to his name and an average of 41.39 after 43 outings in red ball cricket, he does have some work to do. Given the obvious talent he possesses and the fact that he could struggle against the moving ball up top, he could be an option to consider at number 4 down the line.
#4 Dhruv Jurel
A sturdy keeper batter who broke into the Indian side during the series against England last year could be a future middle order batter for India. And given his technique, Dhruv Jurel could be well suited for the number four spot.
Jurel impressed one and all during the home Test series against England, bagging the Player of the Match award in the fourth game in Ranchi. He was then part of the India A squad for a two match Test series against Australia A ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and scored 80 and 68 in the two innings of the second unofficial Test which prompted the team management to go with him as a specialist batter during the Perth Test.
He couldn't quite make a significant impact in the two innings he played in the Test series but given his sound technique and ability to leave balls outside off, Jurel could be a dark horse to take over the spot that Kohli made his own for years together.
#3 Karun Nair
Karun Nair was in sublime form in the domestic circuit across formats and was bought by the Delhi Capitals in the IPL mega auction.
He warned the benches for the first few matches, but when he finally got the opportunity, he scored a magnificent 89 off 40 against the Mumbai Indians and almost single-handedly took his side home.
Nair's form came down drastically in the next few matches, but he could be in line for selection for the England series due to his sheer volume of runs in the Ranji Trophy. He also has the experience of playing county cricket, which might work in his favour.
Karun Nair was the fourth highest run scorer in the Elite Group in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, scoring 863 runs at an average of 53.93, including four centuries and a couple of fifties. He scored 86 and 135 in the final against Kerala and was instrumental in Vidarbha winning their third Ranji Trophy title.
#2 Sai Sudharsan
A technically sound top-order batter, Sai Sudharsan could be in the mix for the upcoming tour of England, especially after his exploits in the IPL. He has been a run machine in the recent past, and it's the authority with which he has scored runs that has set him apart from his peers.
He's one of the most aesthetically pleasing players and plays the ball on its merit. There's a sense of class and temperament in the youngster, which makes him a viable option for the No. 4 spot with Kohli announcing his Test retirement.
Sudarshan scored a brilliant century in one of the unofficial Tests for India A during the tour Down Under just before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He went on to play for Surrey in the County Championship after a brilliant year in 2023, and his experience would come in handy in English conditions.
#1 Shubman Gill
Gill is the frontrunner to become India’s captain in the longest format of the game, and a change in batting position could be necessary for one of the finest young talents in world cricket. He started his career opening the innings but dropped to No. 3.
He has played some impactful innings at that position, but overall he has left a lot to be desired. Gill has been vulnerable against the new moving ball, especially in overseas conditions, and has thrown his wicket away.
Gill’s technique might be best made for the No. 4 spot, where he could come into bat when the ball isn't doing that much. He's someone who loves playing his shots, and the conditions in England might not allow him to play his natural game at the top of the order.
Hence, he could be the right fit at that coveted number 4 spot having long been touted as Kohli's heir apparent in Indian cricket.