India’s Test vice-captain Rishabh Pant has confirmed that Shubman Gill will fill the No. 4 spot, previously held by Virat Kohli, one of India’s most celebrated Test cricketers. Gill’s promotion comes as India seek to find a replacement for their former captain, with Gill stepping into leadership following Rohit Sharma’s retirement.
There’s still a question mark over who will bat at No. 3, previously occupied by Gill. The frontrunners seem to be Karun Nair, returning to the squad, and the uncapped B Sai Sudharsan, known for his impressive domestic performances. India might even accommodate both, as they look to bolster their batting line-up, especially with Pant solidified at No. 5.
With just days to go before the first Test against England at Leeds, Karun Nair appears to be the leading candidate for the No. 3 position. He recently played in that role for India A in a practice match and was also featured prominently in India’s slip-catching drills alongside KL Rahul, Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Jaiswal and Rahul are expected to open the innings, rekindling a partnership that saw action during India’s previous series in Australia. In this setup, if Nair takes the No. 3 spot, the final batting slot could be a toss-up between the promising Sudharsan and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who impressed with a century in Australia.
The bowling line-up is generating significant discussion. The decision on whether to include a fifth bowler, such as Reddy or Washington Sundar, is pivotal. Critics have questioned India’s previous reluctance to adopt a five-bowler strategy, considering it a deviation from what has brought them success over recent years.
Shardul Thakur’s inclusion could provide depth, offering batting capabilities at No. 8 while also bolstering the seam attack. However, his selection remains uncertain compared to Reddy, as both have been actively involved in the initial training sessions at Headingley.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are virtually assured to lead India’s pace attack, with Harshit Rana called up as cover for any late injuries to Siraj or Akash Deep. Akash’s participation is not confirmed, as Prasidh Krishna’s unique bowling style might offer an advantage that India could leverage, especially if the warm weather conditions at Headingley persist. In such scenarios, Kuldeep Yadav might be considered to provide spin options, unless India chooses to enhance batting depth with Washington in the side.
