New Delhi: In 1992, Sachin Tendulkar moved up to No. 4 in India's batting order in Test cricket. When he retired in 2013, Virat Kohli took over the spot. For almost 33 years, India never had to worry about India's No. 4 in Test cricket. The transition from Tendulkar to Kohli was smooth. For three decades, there was unbelievable stability, but with Kohli's retirement, the baton for the next No. 4 has not been passed.
At No. 4, Tendulkar played 177 Tests, scoring 13,492 runs at an average of 54.40, including 44 centuries and 58 half-centuries. Kohli scored a total of 7,564 runs in 160 innings at an average of 50.09, including 26 centuries and 21 half-centuries.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!"It's a big question, a massive void," Krishnamachari Srikkanth, former India captain and chairman of selectors, under whose reign Virat made his Test debut, told Timesofindia.com.
"Virat was the torch-bearer of Test cricket. He played the game with passion and aggression, and that was the greatness of Virat. Frankly, the selectors should have given him the captaincy, and he should have played for the next two to three years. But now we can only wish him well."
Srikkanth believes KL Rahul is suitable to take over. He has the right technique and is the most experienced batter in the current Indian setup.
"Coming to the question about India's next No. 4 in Test cricket, for me, KL Rahul should be given that position. He can be India's lynchpin going forward in Test cricket. He has got the right technique, and the management should give him that fixed role," said Srikkanth.
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer echoes Srikkanth's sentiments about Virat's retirement and picked Shubman Gill, who is tipped as the next India captain, as his next No. 4 for India.
"I guess Shubman could be the guy. He opens in white-ball cricket, but in Test cricket, he needs to move down to 4. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal have done well as openers in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. I feel KL should continue to open. Why change something that is not broken? Sai Sudharsan looks assured, and he should be given a longer rope at No. 3," said Jaffer.
Srikkanth also feels Shubman is not a guaranteed starter in India's playing XI, and the captaincy should be given to someone else. "He is not even a certainty in Test cricket. The captaincy should be given to Jasprit Bumrah, and if he is not fit or available for any match, then KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant should lead India," said Srikkanth.
Former South Africa wicketkeeper
Mark Boucher, whom Virat Kohli had credited with helping him in his early career, stated that there is no dearth of talent in India and they should not worry about 'who next?'
"Before you had Tendulkar, I don't think you'd ever have expected a Tendulkar to come along. Before you had Kohli, I don't think you'd ever have expected a Virat Kohli to come," Boucher said.
A look at the stats of India's No 4 in Tests since 1992
"I think Indian cricket is blessed with talent. The only way you're going to find out if someone can get to some sort of a level that's going to compete with those guys, which is going to be another extraordinary cricketer, is by just putting a guy in there who technically is strong enough and mentally has that hardness and toughness to go out there and really dominate attacks.
I think there are a couple of names that might stand out. They might not be batting in those positions now, but certainly, I think that if they get put in that No. 4 role, they could stand up to that position."
Boucher, like Srikkanth, has put his weight behind KL Rahul to replace Virat Kohli at No. 4.
"KL Rahul is one of the guys who might not be the youngster anymore, but he could fulfill the role. Technically, he's good. I think he can bat both ways, which I think a No. 4 has to be able to do. He needs to have a strong technique in case you lose one or two quick wickets. Then he needs to be able to step on the gas with regard to the run rate, which I think he can do as well," he said.
KP Bhaskar, a stalwart of Delhi cricket in the 1980s who was never played for India despite remaining on the periphery for years, is optimistic that India will find a suitable cricketer for the sacred No. 4 position in Test cricket.
"Sachin and Virat were godsent. They are undoubtedly two of the most complete cricketers India has produced. If Sachin is the greatest, Virat is next in line. Both of them had hunger, the appetite to score runs. They were never satisfied with their performance; they were a rare breed. And I am sure someone will come through the ranks and will make that position his own. Talent can never stay hidden; forget about a forgotten few, but I am sure someone will turn up and will fill those big shoes," said Bhaskar, who was Delhi's selector, when Virat played the Ranji Trophy after a gap of 12 years.
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