4 Players who can replace Virat Kohli if he is ruled out of England ODI series

Virat Kohli is one of the best players in world cricket at present. He is considered a legend in Indian cricket and is the most important player in the Indian team for the tour of England.

Kohli was supposed to have his first stint in English county cricket ahead of the England tour and he was all set to play for Surrey in July this year. However, he has been ruled out of action for few weeks and will miss out on his county stint with Surrey.

The most disappointing part of this injury for Indian fans is that Kohli might even miss out on the England tour in parts or in whole. The Indian captain was eagerly waiting for the English challenge and both Kohli and his fans will be disappointed with the news.

The Indian team may announce his replacement once the time span of the injury is accurately determined and they would be looking at these players to replace him in the Playing XI and in the squad itself.

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#4 Rishabh Pant

Pant was the Orange cap holder until the end of the league stage

Rishabh Pant is one of the most talented young players in the Indian set-up at present. He has been earmarked as a future Indian keeper by the selectors and has been nurtured for the same role.

Pant had a phenomenal IPL 2018, scoring close to 600 runs and was unlucky to not be a part of the Indian team which will be going to England in the shorter formats of the game. He was the Orange Cap holder in the league stages this and is one of the two Indians to have scored a century in IPL this year.

Pant has been knocking on the doors of the Indian team for a while now and it is important that the selectors give him a chance to prove his worth. The left-hander definitely has the quality to represent the Indian team in T20s and ODIs even though he is just 20 years of age and he might well be selected as Kohli's replacement in the T20 and ODI squad if Kohli is ruled out.

#3 Shreyas Iyer

Iyer might make it to the Playing XI in Kohli's absence

Shreyas Iyer is already a part of the Indian team in the shorter formats of the game and with Kohli's absence, there is a chance that he might even be a part of the Indian Test squad for the tour of England.

Iyer was the player whom selectors chose in Kohli's place when Kohli decided to rest for the Sri Lankan tour last year. Iyer also got a chance in the Playing XI for the first time in that tour.

Iyer might get a chance in the Playing XI in Kohli's absence in the ODI team and might even be a part of the Indian Test squad for the England series if Kohli is ruled out. The Delhi Daredevils batsman will be a like-for-like replacement for Kohli as both have a similar batting style and it would be a great opportunity for the youngster.

#2 KL Rahul

Rahul has been the batsman of the tournament in this IPL

KL Rahul was a part of the Indian Test and T20 squads but not included in the ODI squad after a string of poor performances for the Indian team. He has resurrected his international career with some amazing performances in this year's IPL.

Rahul is in the form of his life and it is the right time for him to make a mark in international cricket. He has been a part of the Indian squad in all the formats but he has always been the second choice player for the Indian team in all the formats.

Virat Kohli's absence might be a blessing in disguise for Rahul as he may get a spot in the Indian team in all formats of the game in the England tour. His inclusion in the playing XI couldn't come at a better time for Rahul as he will look to cement his place in the Indian ODI side for the 2019 World Cup.

#1 Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh might get a call-up to the Indian Test team in Kohli's absence

Dinesh Karthik has had a revival of sorts in the last few years as we have seen a totally different player in the last two years. He has been consistent and performing for his side at the highest level.

While he is a part of the Indian ODI and T20 squad he has been overlooked for the Indian Test squad. Kohli is an experienced player and India might look to replace an experienced player with another experienced player.

His brilliant run in the last two years and his experience might convince the selectors to pick him ahead of the other youngsters in the pecking order. Karthik might get his first Test match after a gap of 8 years.

He has also been a part of the Indian squad but he hasn't been given enough opportunities in the playing XI. His brilliant IPL performances might have already earned him a place in the ODI playing XI but Kohli's injury might also yield him a place in the T20 team as well.