Team India's Probable Playing XI In Tests After Virat Kohli's Step Down

Virat Kohli stepped down as India’s Test skipper on Saturday (January 15). His decision arrived after India lost the Test series to South Africa 2-1, after losing the IND vs SA 3rd Test on Friday. Virat Kohli had stepped down as T20I skipper in November 2021 and BCCI also snubbed him as ODI skipper last month. Rohit Sharma, who already holds the captainship of ODI and T20Is, is the front runner for the new India Test captain.

With 40 Test wins, Kohli ended as the Indian skipper with the most Test wins during his captainship career. Under Kohli, India comprised one of the strongest Test teams who dominated opponents on foreign soils too. The selection of the playing XI would be affected with Virat Kohli leaving his captainship role. Here we talk about Team India’s probable playing XI in Tests after Virat Kohli’s step down as skipper.

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Team India’s Probable Playing XI In Tests After Virat Kohli’s Step Down

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma is highly expected to lead the Indian side in Tests. Moreover, he will also plays as an opener for the team. With his excellent batting performance in Tests at home as well overseas in the last two years, Rohit Sharma has proved that India cannot get a better Test opener than him.

Last year, the right-handed batsman mustered 906 runs in 21 Test innings at an average of 47.68, hitting 2 centuries and 4 half-centuries in the process.

KL Rahul

KL Rahul will be the other opener for Team India in the playing XI. The right-handed batsman slammed a marvellous century in the IND vs SA 1st Test recently. Since last year, he has piled up 541 runs in 14 Test innings at an average of 46+. He has also slammed 2 centuries and 2 half-centuries during the period.

Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah Has A Special Message For Virat Kohli After He Quits Test Captaincy

Virat Kohli

While Virat Kohli will not wear the cape of skipper, he will be definitely part of the playing XI in Tests. The right-handed batsman might bat at the no.3 spot. Kohli has failed to hit any centuries in Tests since November 2019, however, he has compensated with a few half-centuries over the period.

Last year, he scored 536 runs in 11 Tests at an average of just 28.21. However, he has started on a good note this year, scoring 108 runs in 2 Tests in 2022 so far at an average of 54.0. Since, 2021, Kohli has slammed 5 half-centuries in Tests.

Hanuma Vihari

Hanuma Vihari might be one of the batters in the middle-order. After Virat Kohli’s ouster as skipper, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are highly unlikely to get a lot of opportunities in the future. Vihari was out of the team for a long period during last year.

When he returned in the recent IND vs SA 2nd Test, he scored a good knock of unbeaten 40 runs in one inning. In 23 Test innings so far, the right-handed batsman has scored 684 runs at an average of 34.20. He has also slammed 1 century and 4 half-centuries.

Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer is another player who might get a chance into the Test side ahead of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara. Iyer made his Test debut recently against New Zealand.

He slammed a century and a half-century in both innings to win the player of the match award in his debut game. Iyer might get more chances to prove his worth in Tests.  He is a regular middle-order batsman in ODIs and T20Is for India.

Also Read: Former Indian Cricketers ‘Shocked’ And ‘Sad’ After Virat Kohli Resigns As Indian Test Skipper

Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant is highly likely to be the wicketkeeper for India in Tests as well. Although he was criticized for his batting technique in Tests, he made a comeback with an unbeaten century in IND vs SA 3rd Test.

For wicketkeepers, Rishabh Pant is the popular choice for selectors currently. The left-handed batsman scored 748 runs in 12 Tests last year at an average o 39.36. In 2022, he accounts for 144 runs in 2 Tests so far at an average of 48.0.

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin might get more opportunities as the spinner for India. The right-handed batsman has also proved his batting skills during the IND vs SA Test series. He slammed a century against England at home last year. Ashwin’s dominance in Tests at home is impeccable. Last year, he scalped 54 wickets in 18 Tests at an average of 16.64. He also scored 355 runs last year at an average of 25.35.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma Remains Front-Runner To Become India’s Next Test Captain, Selectors To Also Consider KL Rahul As Potential Candidate- Reports

Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur is highly likely to retain his spot in the Test side even after Virat Kohli’s ouster as skipper. Thakur has proved that he is a valuable batsman and bowler for Team India in Tests.

Moreover, he is also a good option for a medium-pace all-rounder. He slammed two half-centuries during England tour last year. With the ball, the right-arm pacer has scalped 26 wickets in 7 Tests so far at an average of 21.03.

Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah will continue to be India’s pacer even after Virat Kohli’s ouster as skipper. Bumrah is among the crucial pacer for India across the three formats. Last year, the right-arm pacer scalped 30 wickets in 9 Tests at an average of 26.53. This year, he has picked 7 wickets in 2 Tests so far bowling at an average of 30.71.

Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami will be another pacer who will continue to be part of  India’s Test side. Shami has continuously proven his might in the pace bowling department.

Last year, he scalped 23 wickets in 9 Tests at an average of 22.47. During the IND vs SA Test series, he scalped 14 wickets in 3 Tests and emerged as India’s top wicket-taker.

Also Read: Twitter Reacts As Virat Kohli Steps Down As Team India’s Test Captain

Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj might also get a place team’s Test side. Due to Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav’s inefficiency in Tests in recent times, Mohammed Siraj is more likely to get a place in the playing XI.

The right-arm pacer was impressed with his bowling show during the England tour last year. Last year, the 27-year-old pacer hunted 31 wickets in 10 Tests at an average of 29.96.

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