Former Indian cricketer names potential replacements for Kohli, Rohit ahead of England Test series

Former Indian all-rounder and coach Sanjay Bangar has suggested names to fill the gaps left by Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in India’s Test squad ahead of the upcoming five-match series against England, starting June 20.

With both Kohli and Rohit stepping away from red-ball cricket, Bangar has backed Abhimanyu Easwaran as a strong option to open the innings and Karun Nair as a reliable choice for the middle order, particularly the No. 4 position.

Easwaran, known for his consistency in domestic cricket, has scored over 7,600 runs, including 27 centuries. While he is yet to debut in Test cricket, he will lead the India A side against the England Lions in preparation for the senior tour. Bangar believes his domestic track record makes him a solid candidate to replace Rohit at the top.

Karun Nair, who famously scored a triple century under Kohli’s captaincy in 2016, is aiming for a national comeback after nearly nine years. He has been in impressive form lately, scoring 863 runs in the Ranji Trophy and 779 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

“If all the talk about rewarding domestic performers is true, then Karun has done more than enough to earn a place back in the Test side,” Bangar said.

The BCCI is expected to announce the full squad and name the new Test captain by May 24. Shubman Gill is seen as the leading contender to take over the captaincy, while Jasprit Bumrah’s name has also come up. However, injury concerns could rule the fast bowler out of contention.

This series marks the beginning of India’s 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle, making it a key moment for the team’s new leadership and direction.

India’s tour of England 2025 schedule:

• 1st Test: June 20–24 (Leeds)
• 2nd Test: July 02–06 (Birmingham)
• 3rd Test: July 10–14 (Lord’s)
• 4th Test: July 23–27 (Manchester)
• 5th Test: July 31–August 04 (The Oval)