Five Deserving Cricketers Who are Not Getting Chance Under Virat Kohli in Test Cricket

Team India have been a dominant force in the Test cricket for quite some time now winning ten out of the last eleven series. Moreover, they are currently at the pinnacle of the ICC Test Rankings. The team from the subcontinent have some quality cricketers in the side, however, there are many deserving cricketers who are not getting chance under Virat Kohli in Test cricket.

India have played some really good cricket in home soil but is currently struggling in England, They are already 2-0 down in the five-match Test series with the third Test starting on August 18. The batsmen have struggled to put a good show struggling against the English seamers.

Meanwhile, it is high time the selectors should explore for more options and look for cricketers who have done consistently well in domestic cricket over a significant period of time.

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Here is the list of five deserving cricketers who are not getting chance under Virat Kohli’ in Test cricket:

GAUTAM GAMBHIR

Gautam Gambhir has been a consistent performer for Delhi over the years. Despite scoring bulk of runs for his state side, the national selectors have turned a blind eye on him.

The southpaw last played a Test match in 2016 against England in Rajkot. He came in as a replacement with Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul both sitting out due to injuries. However, despite scoring tons in runs in first-class cricket, he hasn’t got an opportunity.

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Gambhir had a significant fallout with Kohli, his statemate, as he fell out of bound from the Indian Cricket team. However, now, with the Indian openers struggling in England, the selectors should look at the experienced campaigner for the last two Tests.

FAIZ FAZAL

Faiz Fazal, who represents Vidarbha in the domestic cricket has been a legend of the game. He was instrumental for his team as they lift their first-ever Ranji Trophy title.

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The southpaw finished as the second highest run-getter in the Ranji Trophy with 902 runs at an average of 70.15. Despite boasting a strong CV in the domestic cricketers, the selectors tend to overlook him.

With openers struggling in overseas conditions, the selectors should try out different options, and Fazal stands tall among themselves. The 32-year-old made his ODI debut way back in 2016 against Zimbabwe but is still awaiting a Test call.

PIYUSH CHAWLA

Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Piyush Chawla is a known commodity in the Indian circuit. He has been instrumental for his Ranji side over the years and has contributed fairly for his IPL franchise.

Despite making his Test debut in 2006, the leg-spinner managed to play only three Test matches. Among the crop of quality spinners India have produced over the years, Chawla almost got buried.

However, with the growing trend in wrist-spin, Piyush Chawla can be a handy craftsman for India skipper Virat Kohli. Moreover, his ability to contribute with the bat in the lower-order makes him valuable for any side he plays.

KARUN NAIR

Karun Nair is one of the most talented batsmen to be around the Indian team for quite some time now. However, chances are hard to come by for the Karnataka batsman, who boasts a triple century in his CV.

Despite the middle-order failing miserably, the management has overlooked him time and again. Nair had an excellent Ranji Trophy scoring runs at an average of 68. Since making his debut in 2016, Nair has played only six Test matches.

The selectors should bestow more trust on this young batsman, who has a tremendous prospect in the international arena.

JALAJ SAXENA

The go-to man of Madhya Pradesh, Jalaj Saxena is a veteran in this format of the game. Be it with bat or ball, Saxena has also contributed in any situations.

With India struggling with all-rounders, they haven’t really explored the options available to him. Saxena has scored 54q8 runs in the 99 first-class games and has also chipped in with 262 wickets. He has been one of the top performers in the domestic circuit but unfortunately, Saxena is yet to make a debut.

And now, with Virat Kohli backing his players and retaining his players, it is unlikely that he will get a nod anytime soon.