Tried to Replace Virat Kohli… Now Out of Team India? Rahul Tripathi & Deepak Hooda’s Shocking Downfall
Virat Kohli is not just a cricketer — he is a brand, a run-machine, and a backbone of Indian cricket. Over the years, many players have come and gone, but replacing Kohli has never been easy.
However, between 2020 and 2022, even Virat Kohli went through one of the toughest phases of his career. During this period, debates started across cricket circles about who could replace Kohli in Team India. Two names that frequently surfaced were Deepak Hooda and Rahul Tripathi.
But where are they now?
Deepak Hooda: From Kohli’s Replacement Talk to IPL 2026 Unsold
Deepak Hooda got his big opportunity when Virat Kohli was not part of the T20 setup. In 2022, Hooda even scored a T20 international century against Ireland, grabbing headlines instantly.
Former Indian captain Kapil Dev made a bold statement back then, saying that an in-form Deepak Hooda should be preferred over an out-of-form Virat Kohli for the T20 World Cup 2022.
But fate turned quickly.
After those comments, Hooda’s form dipped sharply. Continuous failures led to his exit from Team India, and the shocker came when Deepak Hooda went unsold in the IPL 2026 mini auction — a dramatic fall from World Cup contender to auction disappointment.
Rahul Tripathi: The Underrated Talent Who Missed the Bus
Rahul Tripathi has always been considered one of the most underrated batters in Indian cricket. His IPL journey includes teams like:
Rising Pune Supergiants
Rajasthan Royals
Kolkata Knight Riders
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Chennai Super Kings
With his 360-degree stroke play, Tripathi earned a spot in Team India based on IPL performances. Many experts felt he was the ideal No.3 replacement for Virat Kohli in the T20 format.
However, Tripathi scored just 97 runs in 5 T20 internationals, after which he was dropped from the national side.
In the IPL 2026 auction, Rahul Tripathi went unsold in the first round before finally returning to KKR at his base price. At 34 years of age, a comeback to Team India now looks almost impossible.
The Harsh Reality of Indian Cricket
Many players were once projected as Virat Kohli’s replacements, but none could cement their place. Kohli’s dip in form was temporary — but for players like Hooda and Tripathi, the fall became permanent.
In Indian cricket, competing with Virat Kohli is not just about talent — it’s about consistency, pressure handling, and timing.
And for some, one comparison was enough to change everything.
- RBI Bank Jobs 2025: Golden Opportunity with Salary Up to ₹6 Lakh Per Month - December 19, 2025
- Skin Itching: Is Your Skin Causing Pain or Discomfort? Follow These Natural Tips - December 19, 2025
- Avatar 3 Movie Review: James Cameron’s Biggest Film Yet – Hit or Miss? - December 19, 2025
