Who Will be Team India’s No.3 if Kohli Retires?

Adelaide: Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, often referred to as the GOAT by his fans, is going through a tough phase in his ODI career. The former skipper was chasing a duck in the second ODI match against Australia at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday. It may be noted that this was his second duck after the eight-ball duck in the first ODI, leaving his fans disappointed.

In total, this is his 40th career duck and the first time Kohli has been dismissed for two consecutive ducks in 50-over cricket. His future in ODIs is also in doubt as he has already retired from Tests and T20Is. His scores are nothing to be happy about either. He only scored more than 300 points, averaging 33.30 points. Virat Kohli sits third in the batting order and speculations are rife as to who will replace him in that No. 3 ranking if he decides to retire after his dismal display in the ongoing tour of Australia.

A list of possible candidates to replace Kohli, who is batting at No. 3 in ODIs, is doing the rounds. The names of KL Rahul, Sai Sudarsan, Rajat Patidar and Ruthuraj Gaiekwad are the potential players competing for this position.

Right-handed batsman KL Rahul, who also steps in to guard the wickets, is a highly-rated opener. Tamil Nadu’s Sai Sudarsan also shows promise as a reliable young batsman and his impressive strike rate makes him an ideal choice. Rajat Patidar Kohli’s Bengaluru Royal Challengers teammate is also in the list, having scored four centuries and 3 half-centuries in List – A matches in domestic cricket. Maharashtra’s Ruturaj Gaikwad is also a safe bet. With a good strike rate of over 4300 runs, strike rate of 101, match fitness and ability to stay under pressure, he can also be listed as India’s number 3.

Australia clinched the series with a two-wicket victory against India at the Adelaide Oval with memorable batting performances from Matthew Short and Cooper Connolly. Short’s 74 laid a solid foundation, while Connolly’s unbeaten 61 took Australia home under pressure. India posted a modest 264 for nine despite captain Rohit Sharma returning to form with a 97-ball 73 (7×4, 2×6). While Shreyas Iyer contributed with 61, Adam Zampa took 4 points with 60. Xavier Bartlett took 3 for 39, including Virat Kohli for a duck. In response, Australia pursued the target with more than three to spare.