India are set to embark on a new chapter in Test cricket when they take on England in the opening match of a five-Test series at Headingley on June 20. The match will mark a fresh start for the team, with both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retiring from the format just last month. Shubman Gill has been handed the captaincy, and all eyes will be on how he steers a relatively young side.
Among the key discussions ahead of the series is who will take over the pivotal No.4 spot in the batting order — a role held by Kohli since he succeeded Sachin Tendulkar in 2013. For over a decade, Kohli made the position his own. Now, it’s vacant for the first time in 12 years.
Speaking to The ICC Review, former Australian captain and World Cup winner Ricky Ponting offered his thoughts on who should inherit the role. He suggested that the player chosen for No.4 might also benefit as it would ease the pressures of leadership, particularly for a young captain like Gill.
“They’ll have two pretty young opening batters, so they might look to go for someone that’s got a bit more experience at No.3,” Ponting said, hinting at a lineup with Sai Sudharsan and Yashasvi Jaiswal opening the innings. He mentioned that KL Rahul or Karun Nair could slot in at No.3, setting up the possibility of Gill stepping into the No.4 role.
“Not having to be opening or batting at No.3 as a young captain might make it easier,” he added.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul made a strong case for selection with a commanding century for India A in a warm-up game against England Lions, scoring 116 while opening the batting. Rahul had previously opened for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy before moving to the middle-order upon Rohit Sharma’s return.
With several contenders and a reshuffled lineup, all eyes will be on the team sheet at Headingley — and who ultimately fills the void left by one of India’s modern greats.
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