Cricket
Beyond the King: Identifying Potential Successors to Virat Kohli in India’s Test Batting Line-Up
Virat Kohli has walked away from Test cricket, but his legacy for India is monumental. He reshaped international cricket with his prolific run-making, and he was arguably the best Test batsman of the modern era (post-2000).
Virat Kohli of India bats during day two of the Fifth Men's Test Match//Getty Images
However, Kohli was also one of the most successful captains for India in Test cricket, guiding his country to 40 wins in 68 Tests as skipper. He was a talismanic figure and he has left a big void to fill.
Inevitably, there will be questions, such as who can replace Virat Kohli in Test cricket? That is the major challenge facing India, but replacing Kohli shouldn’t be trying to unearth a carbon copy; no, it’s about identifying individuals who have the right temperament to cope in a pressure-cooker cricket environment.
At SportsBoom, we like to grapple with the big issues. We have explored a few promising batsmen who could potentially shoulder the Test burden that Kohli carried for years so fabulously.
The Irreplaceable Legacy: Understanding Kohli’s Impact
Kohli made a monumental contribution in the Test arena for India. Often fans like to make ultimate cricket comparisons such as Kohli vs Tendulkar, but they were very different batters. Nevertheless, there are a few factors we’ve discussed to establish Kohli’s impact:
Run-scoring volume – Kohli finished with over 9,000 Test runs which is incredible, averaging 46.85. Of the international teams he faced, the only side he didn’t average 40 or more against was New Zealand.
Amazing consistency – Apart from the volume of runs, Kohli excelled as India’s No.3/4 batsman, and he was often the prized wicket for opposition teams.
Man for all conditions – Whether it was home or away, Kohli thrived in all conditions. He possessed a brilliant cover drive, and technically, there were never any flaws.
Aggressive mindset – Either on the on or off side, Kohli was always on the front foot and looking to score runs. His aggressive mindset facilitated this, and he remains the benchmark. He was strict about fitness, and he inspired the Indian cricket team’s next generation of players coming through.
Big gap to fill – Given what Kohli has given to India in Test cricket, his retirement marks a sad time, and it will be up to his team-mates to pick up the baton passed.
Identifying the Heirs Apparent: Potential Candidates
While no single player can replicate Kohli’s journey, several talented batsmen are emerging or established who could be long-term prospects for India’s key batting positions.
In this segment, we have assessed the Test cricket batting prospects for India.
Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill has been in and around the India Test set-up for the past few years. He recently admitted how lucky he was to share a field with Kohli, but he has often been moved around the batting order.
He has shown flashes of brilliance, and he is an excellent back-foot player. Shubman Gill’s Test future is bright as he was recently appointed captain for the series against England, and he has the temperament for the big occasions.
However, he must start converting more fifties into centuries and adapt to different overseas conditions better to be spoken of in the same breath as Kohli.
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Test career may only be the early flourishes, but it has been explosive so far. Particularly as an opener, Jaiswal has made a big impact even though he’s only 23.
Fearless at the crease, Jaiswal amassed 700 runs against England on home soil, exhibiting natural attacking instincts just like Kohli who was an undisputed run machine of cricket.
Although he is currently a top-order batsman, perhaps he could move down to No.3 or 4 when required. He needs to adapt to his game to thrive against elite bowling attacks, but he’s one of those players to watch after Kohli to see how he develops.
Shreyas Iyer
Apart from Kohli, India has had to deal with the retirement of Rohit Sharma. That said, Shreyas Iyer’s Test potential is clear for all to see. He’s known for his ability to combat spin, and he’s had a few opportunities in the middle of the order.
Although he’s shown he is capable of handling spinners both at home and abroad, one area for improvement is dealing with the short ball overseas. If he can master that, he could take over the mantle from Kohli.
Rajat Patidar
Rajat Patidar only made his Test debut last year against England, contributing scores of 32 and 9, batting at No.5, so we haven’t much to go on.
That said, Patidar has been more successful at domestic level, particularly in the Indian Premier League (IPL), amassing over 1,000 runs from 40 matches at the time of writing.
Batting in the middle of the order requires a different mindset. The openers build the foundations, giving the middle order more freedom to express themselves. If Patidar harbours ambitions to be the next Indian Test batting star, he needs to translate his form from the domestic stage and deal with greater expectations.
Beyond Individual Talent: What Does It Take?
To be considered as a potential Virat Kohli successor for India, the following qualities are crucial:
Test cricket temperament – To succeed in Test cricket, players need to be disciplined. They also need to be patient and switched on at all times to handle the pressure.
Adaptability – It’s not enough to be competent at home. Virat Kohli, who was considered one of the ‘Fab 4 in cricket’ could adjust and score runs freely in all conditions at home and abroad.
Consistency – Year after year, the top batters deliver big performances, making heavy contributions across the series.
Leadership skills – Like Kohli, any player intending to fill in the void must lead from the front, pick players up in times of adversity, and be a vocal presence in the dressing room.
The Transition Phase: A Team Effort
It’s worth noting the next era of Test cricket for India will rely on collective effort. The players must all pull in the same direction, and the burden shouldn’t fall on the shoulders of one individual.
The onus will also be on the senior players to foster a strong team environment and nurture the next generation of players to help India scale to the top of the Test rankings.
Conclusion
In summary, Virat Kohli’s departure will be sorely felt as he was a true cricketing icon.
Kohli was one of the greatest batters of his generation. Finding a direct replacement is virtually impossible, however, the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill have what it takes to step up and steer India into a new phase.
There is plenty of talent in the pipeline, and while Kohli’s retirement marks a seminal moment, the future of Indian Test batting is in safe hands.
SportsBoom Suggests/Bottom Line
Identifying Virat Kohli’s long-term successors is key for India’s future Test strength; the performances of candidates like Gill, Jaiswal, and Iyer will be closely watched by fans and bettors, influencing perceptions of team balance and future series outcomes.
REFERENCES
- 1
Virat Kohli’s Test career stats for India: A breakdown of Kohli’s batting stats for his country - https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/virat-kohli-253802/bowling-batting-stats Accessed May 28, 2025
- 2
Shubman Gill pays tribute after Virat Kohli’s Test retirement: Gill sends touching message after Kohli announces his retirement from Test cricket - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c0mrzlr919xo Accessed May 28, 2025
Charles Perrin is a highly experienced sports betting content writer with over six years of working with some of the leading sportsbooks in the UK, including bet365 and William Hill.