June 18th 2025.
In the upcoming Test match against England at Headingley, Leeds, there has been a lot of talk about who will take on the crucial No. 4 spot in India's batting order. After Virat Kohli's retirement from Test cricket, there has been much speculation and anticipation surrounding this decision. However, it seems like the wait is finally over as India's captain, Shubman Gill, is all set to fill the iconic position.
This news was confirmed by Gill's deputy and wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant, during a press conference held on Wednesday. Pant stated, "There is still some discussion going on about the No. 3 position, but we have decided on No. 4 and 5. Shubman will be batting at No. 4, and I will stick to No. 5 for now. We will continue to discuss and decide on the rest of the lineup."
It is worth noting that the No. 4 spot has been held by legendary players like Sachin Tendulkar and, more recently, Virat Kohli. Therefore, Gill taking on this role marks a significant change in India's red-ball batting strategy. After struggling as an opener, Gill was moved to No. 3, and now he is ready to take on the responsibility of the cornerstone position in Test batting.
While the No. 4 spot is now settled, the No. 3 position is still up for grabs. One of the top contenders is Karun Nair, who brings experience and a triple-century to his name. Another promising player, B Sai Sudharsan, could also make his debut and potentially take on the No. 3 spot. If Sudharsan is selected, he will most likely bat at No. 3. However, if India opts for a lineup with three all-rounders, then Karun Nair might be chosen, allowing Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shardul Thakur to strengthen the lower-middle order.
Under the new team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, India is expected to adopt a bold and flexible approach. However, the final decision on the team composition will be known when Gill himself addresses the media on the eve of the match. Excitement and anticipation are at an all-time high as India prepares to take on England in what promises to be an intense and thrilling Test match.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
