Top 4 Players who can replace Dhoni 

MS Dhoni has been India's first choice wicket keeper since 2004. Dhoni is arguably the best keeper in the world right now. His faster than light stumpings, flying catches behind the stumps are still a treat to watch for all cricket fans all over the world. Though the 37-year-old is still a genius with the gloves there are a lot of questions being raised about his batting. The 2011 World Cup winning captain may play till next year's World Cup, sooner or later Dhoni will decide to hang up his boots. Indian Cricket has a big task in hand to replace a player of Dhoni's stature.

Until 2016, when Dhoni was the captain, he contributed tremendously as a wicketkeeper, batsman as well as a captain where he produced tactical masterclasses every other game. Now that India has an able replacement in Virat Kohli as the leader of the side, there 2 departments that Dhoni plays a part of. Therefore, it is very important that Dhoni's replacement contributes significantly as a batsman as well as a wicketkeeper.

It is more or less certain that the former captain will call it a day in a year's time after the tourney in England.

Though it is a year before Dhoni decides his future as a player, the fans are already scouting who can be the best the replacement for the Ranchi born stalwart. We look at the 4 players who can be the best options to replace MS Dhoni.

4. KL Rahul

England v India - 1st Vitality International T20

The Karnataka batsman is a regular feature in India's squad in all the three formats of the game but unfortunately has not been a guaranteed selection in the starting 11 in any of the formats. Rahul first appearance in Indian colors was in the 2014-15 Australia tour and impressed everyone with a hundred in only his 2nd test in the new year's test in Sydney.

Since then he has been a regular feature in the IPL, playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab, and the Indian team. Rahul was the 3rd highest run-getter in this year’s IPL as he amassed over his 650 runs for his franchise.

His abilities behind the stumps and adequate experience as an Indian Cricketer make him one of the players who can fill Dhoni's shoes in the Indian side.

3. Sanju Samson

Australia 'A' v India 'A' - Quadrangular Series Final

Unlike many other players, Samson was already a star when he represented India at the U-19 World Cup 4 years back in the United Arab Emirates. He made his first class debut aged only 17 for his domestic side Kerala.

But it was in the 2013 IPL season where he first rose to fame and became an instant hit among the fans. He has been one of the consistent performers in the domestic circuit as well as in the IPL in the past few years. Being a wicket keeper, he has been one of the contenders to succeed Dhoni in the shorter formats of the game.

2. Ishan Kishan

ECB XI v India A - Tour Match

Along with Pant, another wicket keeper who broke the headlines at the 2016 U-19 World Cup is Ishan Kishan. Ishan Kishan and Dhoni have a lot of things in common. Both are wicket keeper, both are hard-hitting batsman and more importantly, both have similar cricketing skills. The 20 year old batsman has enjoyed decent success in the IPL 2018, where he was the first choice wicket keeper for 3-time Champions Mumbai Indians. If Kishan keeps up the good work he can be one of the prime challengers to replace the big gap left by MSD in the white ball formats.

1. Rishabh Pant

CRICKET-SRI-IND

Ever since, the 2016 U-19 World Cup, Rishabh Pant's name has been doing the rounds in Indian cricketing circles. Pant is arguably the most talented batsman in domestic cricket and his wicket keeping skills make him a better and a more complete player. He has enjoyed a couple of decent seasons in the Ranji trophy and is a regular feature in the India 'A' team for the past 2 years. These performances have earned him a call-up to the test side for the tour of England. Pant enjoyed a fabulous season in the IPL for his side, Delhi Daredevils, where he piled up 684 runs and ended up as the tournament's 2nd highest run scorer.

With his decent capabilities behind the stumps, Pant may well be the No. 1 choice replace MSD.