It seems that India has found the batter they were looking for after Kohli retired from Test cricket. Sai Sudarshan was ruled out due to an injury, and Dev seized this opportunity to the fullest. He scored his maiden Test century, and at the rate he’s going, I hope he achieves a double century. KL Rahul was going well, but due to cramp pain, he had to retire hurt; otherwise, he would also have got his century. The ball is turning now, and day 2 will not be easy for the Indian batters against spinners.
You got it completely wrong.
It's all number game ( batsman batting spot), likes of sai and paddikal were never supposed to be Kohli's replacement. Kohli bats at number 4 and atm gill got that spot.
Number 3 was earlier dravid and then Pujara, that's the spot they're competing for and comparison should be here if there's any need.
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We can't compare Sai or Devdutt Padikkal to the level of Kohli who is probably one of the great test batter ever. But this is a good sign still we need a player who can do that in SENA pitches not just in subcontinent conditions. SL pitches might be more spin-friendly compared to our flat tracks but the same player who can tackle the seaming and bouncing ball too? Then we got a perfect replacement.
In tests, If kohli had retired in 2020 then he could have possibly made into all time world test team or give hard competition to all the GOATS.
But the way he played inbetween 2020-2025. He will have hard time getting into India's best all time test XI
