3 players who can bat at No.4 in absence of Virat Kohli during first two Tests against England

India will be hosting England for a 5-match Test series. This is the Men in Blue's last assignment before the T20 World Cup 2024. The home side has not lost a single series in the last 10 years as they are on a row of 16 consecutive series wins. The last time they lost a series against the same team was back in 2012/13. Rohit Sharma's side has been one of the toughest sides to beat at home conditions with the spinning tracks. 

Ahead of the first Test, their star batter Virat Kohli has backed out of the first two Tests due to personal reasons. The former India captain has been one of the finest performers for the side in recent years. His absence will be a headache for the side as the experience he brings to the squad will be missing. The Indian Cricket Board has requested the media for not to disturb the veteran batter.

Though it is an opportunity for some of the other batters to showcase their talent at No.4. In this article we will take a look at the players who could bat at No.4 instead of Virat Kohli for the first Test against Ben Stokes's side. 

Here are the three players who could bat at No.4 instead of Virat Kohli

3. Dhruv Jurel 

Dhruv Jurel, the young 22-year-old wicket-keeper batter has got his maiden call for the national side. He will be eager to make his debut. In 15 first-class matches, Jurel has amassed 790 runs at an average of 46.47, with five fifties and one hundred to his name. He has also scored two fifties while playing for India A. His white-ball cricket is yet to be developed though his record in the traditional format is good and he can get his cap in the absence of Kohli and bat at No.4 as well. 

2. Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer since his return has been in brilliant form in the white-ball format. But his longest format form has been a question. In South Africa, it was Iyer who played at No.5. With no Virat there, he would have been the option to move up the batting order. Iyer is more of an attacking Test batter, especially against spin. On the Indian pitches, such players are needed with the pitches that will turn since Day 1 and he might be a perfect replacement for the side. 

1. KL Rahul 

KL Rahul has probably been the best batter for India across formats since his return from injury. The wicket-keeper batter scored a brilliant hundred in the Rainbow Nation on a difficult wicket. As per reports he might be playing as a specialist batter in the side with Bharat as a keeper and he is a good player of spin as well, giving him the chance to bat at No.4 in the absence of the 35-year-old as he will be a good choice for anchoring the innings at that position.