After Virat's imminent Test retirement, a look at five players who can be India's man for crisis in England

India needs to recover in Tests after the last two series defeat. But the 'King' has left the throne just a month before a crucial five-match series in England. Now, the Indian cricket team faces a significant challenge as to who will be a force of a batsman replacing Virat Kohli.

Kohli has been a cornerstone of the Indian Test lineup for the past 14 years, renowned for his stellar performances and ability to withstand pressure.

His exit leaves a void in an otherwise promising squad, which is now looking to nurture emerging talents who can step up in this pivotal moment as India prepares for a tour that could heavily influence their World Test Championship prospects.

Here are top candidates that can take India through

Shreyas Iyer
The upcoming tour of England presents a golden opportunity for Shreyas Iyer to solidify his position in the Test squad. After regaining the selectors' trust through consistent performances, he has transformed from an out-of-favor player to a crucial asset. Although he has played only 14 Tests, scoring 811 runs, his domestic record speaks volumes. In his last Ranji Trophy season with Mumbai, he scored 480 runs in five matches at an impressive average of 68.57, with a strike rate of 90.22.

KL Rahul
KL Rahul, often seen as India's reliable man in times of crisis, is another candidate poised to take on the number four position for the England tour. With a versatile batting style and a solid technique, Rahul has proven his ability to adapt to different roles. The 33-year-old has prior experience on English soil and has scored 614 runs in nine Tests at an average of 34.11, including two centuries and a fifty.

Sai Sudharsan
The 23-year-old opening batsman from Tamil Nadu has made a name for himself in the domestic circuit and is seen as a key contender to fill Kohli's shoes. Sudharsan has been in exceptional form, amassing 304 runs in three Ranji Trophy games at an average of 76.00, including a double-century, a century, and a fifty. Across 29 First-Class matches, he has scored 1,957 runs at an average close to 40, with seven centuries and five half-centuries to his name.

Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz Khan made his debut against England last year and has since shown promise, notably scoring a stunning century against New Zealand. However, he was sidelined during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The 27-year-old has an impressive First-Class record, with 4,593 runs at an average of 65.61 and a strike rate of 70.73, indicating his potential to contribute significantly.

Cheteshwar Pujara
To address the experience gap left by Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara is potential reinforcement for the England tour. Pujara has expressed his availability and had a fruitful outing during his last tour to England, where he scored 306 runs in five matches at an average of 34.00, including three fifties.

Karun Nair
Karun Nair, who made a heartfelt appeal for a second chance in December 2022, has seized his opportunity in domestic cricket. As only the second Indian to score a triple century, Nair's performance has rekindled calls for his return to the national team after his last Test appearance in 2017. He was among the top run-scorers in last season's Ranji Trophy, accumulating 863 runs in nine matches at an average of 53.93.

(With inputs from ANI)