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Ex-Opener Solves India’s Number 4 Problem For ENG Tests After Virat Kohli’s Retirement

Aakash Saini

Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x]Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x]

Virat Kohli confirmed his retirement from Test cricket earlier this month after days of speculation. With captain Rohit Sharma also stepping down from the format, Team India now faces a seismic shift in its red-ball batting line-up just ahead of a challenging England tour.

The five-match Test series next month is now poised to be a flashpoint moment, as it might very well test out the depth and resilience of a newly transitioning Indian side. With selectors and BCCI still pondering over an ideal squad, former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer recently weighed in with his idea of India’s new number four batter.

Jaffer suggests Shubman Gill as new number four

Virat Kohli spent a major part of his Test career while batting at number four for Team India, occupying the position in 160 out of his 210 Test innings. With Kohli’s retirement, several cricket experts are either KL Rahul or Karun Nair to become India’s new number four.

However, former opener and domestic giant Wasim Jaffer believes that KL Rahul should continue to open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. While talking to the Times of India, he added that Shubman Gill can take up number four positions while his Gujarat Titans teammate Sai Sudharsan should be given a longer rope at number three.

“I guess Shubman could be the guy. He opens in white-ball cricket, but in Test cricket, he needs to move down to 4. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal have done well as openers in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. I feel KL should continue to open. Why change something that is not broken? Sai Sudharsan looks assured, and he should be given a longer rope at No. 3.”

The Indian team is scheduled to face England in a five-match Test series from June 20 onwards in Leeds. The series will also launch India’s 2025-27 WTC cycle.

The BCCI is expected to name a new Indian captain and a travelling squad for the tour in the upcoming days.