(Cricket News) After Virat Kohli withdrew from the first two Tests due to personal reasons, all eyes were on the selection committee to name a replacement.

While Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer will make up India’s middle order in the first Test, there was no other backup batsman in the squad to use as a concussion substitute or in case of an unexpected injury.

India has called up Rajat Patidar to the squad. The middle-order batsman has already linked-up with the Indian team in Hyderabad and even attended the BCCI Annual Awards on Tuesday night.

The Madhya Pradesh batsman, who is known for his temperament, is used to batting at No. 4 and in the domestic circuit comes across as an assertive batsman, who likes to put pressure on bowlers from the word go.

More importantly, Patidar has made it into the Test squad on the back of scoring a 151 for India ‘A’ against England Lions last week. Although Abhimanyu Easwaran was part of the team in South Africa, there are still concerns about him because he has not scored in crucial Ranji Trophy knockout games.

With Patidar in the mix, India will no longer be looking to Cheteshwar Pujara, who opened the Ranji Trophy with a double century. Rinku Singh has been named by the selectors to replace Patidar in the India ‘A’ squad.

See more: Pat Cummins Provides Latest Update on Travis Head’s Covid-19 Situation