India's stalwart batsman Virat Kohli has withdrawn himself from the first two test matches against England due to some personal reasons. BCCI has also requested the media and fans to give the Indian star his privacy and refrain from speculating on the nature of his personal reasons

Cheteshwar Pujara

Team India's Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara has not been included in the side's squad for the test series against England. He was not even part of the team against South Africa. The veteran can play in the top-order and middle-order of the batting line-up. So far, Pujara has played in 103 test matches and has scored 7,195 runs for India including 19 tons and 35 fifties. He can be a strong replacement for Kohli ahead of the first two test matches

Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane who failed to make the cut in India's squad for the test series against England can be the second contender for Kohli. Rahane has featured in 85 test matches and has accumulated 5,077 runs including 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries. Rahane can play at flexible positions for the team

Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal is another strong replacement for the Indian star in the first two tests. Playing 21 tests, Agarwal smashed 1,488 runs and has also registered four centuries and six half-centuries. His highest score in the longest format of the game is 243 runs

Hanuma Vihari

India's Hanuma Vihari has not got many chances to prove his worth. Playing in just 16 test matches for India, the right-hander has scored 839 runs. He has one century and five half-centuries registered to his name