As India prepares for the big five-Test series in England starting June 20, all eyes are on the new faces in the team.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are out of the team and this is a new chapter altogether.
This is the start of a new era and also Shubman Gill’s first assignment as captain in Tests. But beyond the captaincy, the bigger question is—who bats where?
One of the most talked about decisions is KL Rahul moving away from his usual opening slot.
Reports suggest Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan are being looked at as the new opening pair.
If that happens, KL Rahul will bat at No. 3, a big change for someone who has always walked out first.
In turn, Gill who has opened and batted at No. 3 in the past might now bat at No. 4 replacing Kohli.
This possible shuffle is getting strong backing from none other than Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain and current IPL coach.
Ponting praised Sudharsan’s technique saying he looks ready for Test cricket despite being new to international cricket.
He also said Rahul’s experience suits the No. 3 role and allowing Gill to bat at No. 4 might ease the burden of captaincy. It’s a thoughtful move that will take pressure off Gill in this tough away series.
While speculation is building, Gill himself has said no decision has been taken yet. The team will have a 10-day camp in London and the intra-squad match from June 13 will help them test combinations in real conditions.
Gill said the batting order will be decided only after that. He also called leading India “overwhelming” but a “great challenge” he is looking forward to.
This is a big moment for India’s red-ball team. Without two of the most experienced players, the onus is now on young batters like Sudharsan, Jaiswal and Gill.
The conditions in England are tough for batters, especially openers. There’s swing, seam and overcast skies—any mistake gets punished quickly.
That’s why having a settled batting order will be key.This is not just another Test series. It’s a full reboot. With Shubman Gill as captain and a new batting order, India is entering a new era.
Whether Sudharsan-Jaiswal work at the top, whether Rahul settles at No. 3 or whether Gill scores as captain at No. 4—these are the questions that will decide India’s future in Tests.
One thing is for sure: this series will test not just skill but also how well this new team handles pressure when history, expectations and English conditions collide.
