On the cricket field, Virat Kohli almost never encounters a challenge that disturbs him. During the test debut on the 2011 West Indies tour, Fidel Edwards became a particular problem, but Kohli soon found a way to handle it.
Although he couldn't make a dream debut in Test cricket, media interactions reflected a bit of worry and confusion in him. However, he did not give up on tackling challenges and reached remarkable heights from 2014 to 2019, which many modern cricketers haven't achieved. Kohli piled up runs and centuries, leading India to some memorable victories and heights in Test cricket.
This performance serves as a 'blueprint' for young batsmen, tasked with steering Indian cricket after Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Here are some noteworthy players among them.
Shubman Gill
Among the next-gen stars, Shubman Gill stands out as the most important player who might become India's main batsman and Test captain in the coming days. Coincidentally, Gill finds himself filling Kohli's shoes at 25, matching his average Test record.
Source: aajtak
This Punjab player has scored 1,893 runs at an average of 35 in 32 Tests. However, Gill's average record in England includes only 88 runs over three Tests at an average of 14.66. It will be interesting to see if this player from Punjab can change his fortune in England to match his illustrious senior. Like Kohli, Gill also needs to bring discipline into his batting and develop a habit of batting close to his body for swings.
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Yashasvi Jaiswal
Jaiswal is likely to open the innings in England during his first tour there. He has already proven adept at handling this role in the West Indies, South Africa, Australia, and India. However, his debut tour of England will pose a tougher challenge. In both Australia and the West Indies, Jaiswal has displayed his technique and patience while scoring runs.
Yet, he will face a severe test against England's 'late swing', necessitating control over his aggressive drives and cuts. He should focus more on leaving the ball and seize the right moment to attack.
It's not about a technical change but a mental adjustment, which can be learned from Kohli's 'playbook’. After 2014 struggles, Kohli mastered handling Anderson and Broad's 'late swing' in 2018, scoring 593 runs in five matches at an average of 59.
Source: aajtak
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Dhruv Jurel
At 24, Jurel is a strong backup option as a second wicketkeeper-batsman behind Rishabh Pant. He impressed during his debut series against England, although he couldn't leave a mark against Australia.
Jurel possesses the grit and skills necessary for a long career in Test cricket. Ahead of last year's Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he showcased his abilities with two half-centuries in an unofficial Test against Australia.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir favors cricketers who never back down from a fight, and Jurel belongs to that category.
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B Sai Sudharsan
Sudharsan stands a strong chance of making it to the touring team for England, where his excellent batting could prove crucial. Unlike Jaiswal’s aggressive style, Sudharsan brings a calm and balanced approach. The 23-year-old enjoys playing on either side and this versatility is key to succeeding in England. He even has experience playing for Surrey in county cricket. Nonetheless, he is yet to make his Test debut.
Sarfaraz Khan
In the previous year, 27-year-old Sarfaraz hammered an aggressive 150-run innings against New Zealand in Bengaluru, demonstrating his ability to dismantle any attack. However, a slump in form, coupled with a rib injury, has since stalled his progress.
There’s no doubting Sarfaraz's talent, yet he may need to work on his fitness, drawing lessons from Kohli's dedication to staying fit.
With neither Kohli nor Rohit Sharma guiding them forward now, these budding stars need to step up responsibly and make their own paths forward.
