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Virat Kohli And....? 3 Players Who Can Replace Injured Shubman Gill At Number 3 Vs New Zealand

Virat Kohli in training session [Source: PTI] Virat Kohli in training session [Source: PTI]

India have suffered a massive jolt in the form of Shubman Gill. The right-handed batter is likely to miss the first Test Vs New Zealand due to a stiff neck, and his health has put India's combination in a precarious sitiuation.

Gill cemented his place at number 3 in Tests, and was coming into this series on the back of two stellar performances Vs England and Bangladesh. However, ahead of the Bengaluru Test, the Rohit Sharma led side have plenty to ponder, especially with the game starting in less than 24 hours from now.

So, if Gill indeed gets ruled out, who will replace him at number 3? Here's a list of players who can replace him.

3) Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli, the stalwart of the Test side has batted at number 4 for almost 11-years now. It is a batting position where he has scored truckloads of runs in Tests, however, for the Bengaluru Test, Kohli could be asked to promote himself one slot above his usual position.

In ODI cricket, Kohli plays at number 3, and has the experience of batting at that slot. Number 3 is a key spot in Test cricket, and some of the world's best batter plays at this position. Kohli, is usually team India's best bet and the most experienced player of the team should be the one to play at this tricky slot.

2) Sarfaraz Khan

If Gill is out of the first Test, Sarfaraz Khan will come in as his replacement player. Usually for his domestic team, Mumbai, Sarfaraz plays down the order at number 5, 6, but here he could be asked to sacrifice that spot and bat at number 3.

In the India Test team, numnber 5 is occupied by Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul generally bats at 6. Hence, Sarfaraz would have no choice but to bat at number 3. In his debut Test series against England, the Mumbai batter impressed everyone with his clinical technique, and Rohit Sharma could be tempted to utilise him in a bigger role. Hence, don't be surprised if Sarfaraz plays at number 3 spot.

1) KL Rahul

Rahul Dravid, Cheteshwar Pujara and KL Rahul - there is something in common amongst the three players - all of them are technically sound player. KL Rahul has a superb technique for Test cricket and number 3 position requires it, especially when facing quality bowling attacks.

Despite his injury record, KL Rahul has shown the world that he has the temperament and the technique to deliver the goods, as he has done so often in testing conditions.

If KL Rahul plays at number 3, that'll mean Sarfaraz Khan gets to bat at his usual number 5, 6 spot, and it could be a win-win situation for everyone. The only downside of this decision could be KL Rahul's average record at number 3. In 5 innings, he has scored 88 runs, at an average of 17.60.