AUS vs IND: Who should bat at number 4 in Virat Kohli’s absence?
With the completion of the IPL, the next big series the cricketing world is looking forward to, is the India vs Australia series. While India is set to play all the 3 formats in a full-fledged tour, the Test series-The Border Gavaskar Trophy is the most anticipated of them all. However, even before the series began, India, who are currently the holders of the prestigious trophy, were dealt a massive blow.
Virat Kohli, the India skipper, who is expecting his first child in January, is set to miss out on 3 of the 4 Tests. While India’s limited-overs squads have several superstars, the Test team is the one where Virat Kohli makes his presence felt the most, as a batsman and as a skipper. But, as things stand, the team is set to lose his services. While Ajinkya Rahane, the vice-captain is set to take over as skipper, let us discuss who are the possible candidates who can bat at the all-important number 4 position in Kohli’s absence.
The prince in waiting
The first candidate is undoubtedly Shubman Gill. The young Turk from Punjab has been a revelation ever since he arrived on the scene. He was sensational in the age group, emerged as the player of the tournament in the 2018 U-19 World Cup and has done fabulously in domestic cricket. In 21 first-class games, Gill has already scored 2133 runs at an astounding average of 73.5, including 10 50s and 7 tons. He has also shown in the IPL that he possesses a top-notch temperament to go with his quality skills. He seems to have a pitch-perfect technique and could be the like for like replacement to Kohli.
Experience and recent form of KL Rahul
#KLRahul‘s records in 2020 :
Most ODI runs for India (443)
Most T20 runs for India (404)
Most T20 fifties for India (4)
Most T20 fours for India (34)
Most ODI sixes for India(16)
Most T20 sixes for India(13)
Most Runs in IPL(670)
Highest scores in IPL(132*) pic.twitter.com/hNtIqv6l3P— BOSS (@BOSS04976389) December 14, 2020
Another option, a left-field one at that, could be to go with K.L Rahul. Rahul’s selection in Tests, which seems to have been based on his form in the IPL, did raise a lot of eyeballs. India already had plenty of openers and K.L Rahul being selected as a 4th or even 5th opener seemed a bit odd since he hadn’t done much in Test cricket in recent times. But now that he has been picked, he could perhaps be an interesting choice at number 4. In the last 18 months, and in the last overseas cycle, Rahul showed an inherent weakness against the new ball. Coming in at 4 will largely reduce that risk for him. He has certainly been striking the ball well and could turn out to be the surprise package.
Another option, although unlikely, could be Ajinkya Rahane moving up a spot higher, batting at 4, with the likes of Rahul, Pant and Hanuma Vihari making up the lower middle order. But this will perhaps be the absolute last resort since Rahane wouldn’t want to move from the spot where he has garnered immense success in his career.
These are the possible alternatives to replace Kohli at number 4. But irrespective of whoever slots in, it is going to be an extremely difficult task for the player to fill in the massive boots of Virat Kohli.
