Shubman Gill To Replace Kohli; Who Will Open? India's Strongest Batting Lineup For ENG Tests

Youngsters will form the Indian batting core vs ENG [Source: @riseup_pant17/X]

On Monday, Test cricket lost one of its most decorated flag-bearers as legendary Indian batter Virat Kohli bid farewell to the purest format. Regarded as one of the finest-ever Test captains, Kohli took the decision just prior to India's squad selection for the England tour. 

As Virat Kohli was the backbone of the Indian batting unit, his retirement has certainly left a void in the Test lineup. So, with the England tour coming up, let's analyse and find out what could be India's batting unit for the series. 

Openers: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul

(Test stats of Jaiswal and KL Rahul)

While Yashasvi Jaiswal has booked his spot as India's first-choice Test opener, the team management might persist with KL Rahul as his batting partner following Rohit Sharma's retirement. 

Rahul was shuffled through the lineup before eventually returning to his favourable opening slot during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Jaiswal and Rahul formed a stoic opening stand on the Australia tour, providing India with solid starts in the series. 

Statistically, Rahul and Jaiswal formed India's most successful batting pair in the BGT, scoring 326 runs in ten innings. Rahul's compact batting technique and Jaiswal's flamboyance could certainly frustrate the Englishmen on the tour. 

---

ALSO READ

3 Major Challenges For Shubman Gill If He Gets Appointed As India Test Captain

---

Gill Or Sudharsan; Who Should Bat At 3?

Meanwhile, young batter Sai Sudharsan could be slotted at number three, given he is technically superior against the moving ball than Shubman Gill. 

Although the latter averages just over 37 in 30 Test innings at number three, his evident flaw against the incoming delivery could tempt India to replace him with Sudharsan, who also brings the "left-handed" factor to the table. 

In 29 First-Class innings, the southpaw has struck 1957 runs, including seven hundreds, at an average of 39.93. 

Several reports have also claimed that Shubman Gill will be Virat Kohli's first-choice successor at number four. 

Rishabh Pant, Nitish Reddy And Ravindra Jadeja To Form Lower Middle Order

(Rishabh Pant in Tests at 5)

In nine Test innings, Reddy has struck 298 runs, including a fabulous ton, at an average of 37.25. He has shown why he's more reliable than the likes of Sarfaraz Khan and Rajat Patidar, who haven't been that much assuring as Test batters. 

Needless to say, Ravindra Jadeja should be India's number seven in England, having proven his credentials as a fine player of pace and movement. 

India's Strongest Batting Unit For England Tests

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant (WK), Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja
Reserve Option: Dhruv Jurel

---

ALSO READ

How Virat Kohli’s Heartfelt Applause Made Shubman Gill’s Century Unforgettable

---