Who Will Step into Virat Kohli's Shoes? Karun Nair Makes a Strong Case!

Virat Kohli's Retirement Opens Up Number Four Spot

Recently, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, leaving the number four batting position open. This has sparked discussions about who might take over this pivotal role. As Team India prepares for its upcoming tour of England, Karun Nair has made a compelling argument for himself by scoring an impressive century.

Identifying Kohli's Successor

The first-class match between India A and England Lions commenced on May 30, with India A batting first. While Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Abhimanyu Easwaran struggled to make significant contributions, Karun Nair showcased his talent with a remarkable unbeaten score of 186, positioning himself as a strong candidate to fill Kohli's shoes.

Notably, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has endorsed Nair as a fitting replacement for Kohli in the Test arena. Although Nair batted at number three during this match, he is primarily known for his number four batting position. At the time of reporting, he had amassed 102 runs off 165 deliveries.

Pic Credit: Onecricket

Partnership with Sarfaraz Khan

In the match against England Lions, Sarfaraz Khan also made a notable impact, even though he was not selected for the England tour. He formed a substantial 181-run partnership with Karun Nair, scoring a well-crafted 92 runs off 119 balls.

It's important to highlight that Karun Nair last represented India in a Test match back in 2017. After nearly seven years, his recent century has rekindled hopes for a return to the national team.

Match Summary:

India A: 409/3 in 90 overs

(Karun Nair 186; Sarfaraz Khan 92, Dhruv Jurel 82*; Josh Hull 2/51)

Indian Squad for England Tour:

Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.