No Shubman Gill at No. 4, KL Rahul not to open: India's batting unit for 5 England Tests finalised by ex-BCCI selector

A former BCCI selector predicted India's top-order for the upcoming England Tests and also named Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma's replacements.

Updated on: Jun 16, 2025, 21:35:35 IST

By Neelav Chakravarti

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India’s upcoming England Test series, which is scheduled to start from June 20, will see a new generation take over the mantle, with the appointment of Shubman Gill as the new red-ball skipper. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and R Ashwin are not part of the Test setup anymore, having announced their retirements. Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are the only remaining members from the previous core group. India's top order is likely to bear a new look with Sai Sudharsan set to make his Test debut, and Karun Nair expected to make a comeback after eight years.

A former BCCI selector predicted Shubman Gill and KL Rahul's batting positions.

Many fans thought that with the retirement of Rohit, Gill would open the innings with young Yashasvi Jaiswal. But Sudharsan’s arrival brings in additional depth and the GT batter was in good form in IPL 2025.

Also Read: BCCI told to hold Vaibhav Suryavanshi's India call-up: 'Sachin Tendulkar hit 100s on Ranji, Duleep, Irani Trophy debut'

Ex-BCCI selector predicts India's top order

Speaking to Hindustan Times, former India cricketer and ex-BCCI selector Venkatapathy Raju weighed in on the probable batting template which head coach Gautam Gambhir will employ in the opening Test vs England. Raju also felt that Gill could make the No. 3 slot his own, especially with the inclusion of Sudharsan. Meanwhile, Raju, who was a selector for India’s victorious 2007 World T20 squad, also felt that Rahul could fill in at No. 4, which had long been Kohli’s position.

“I think Gill can be no. 3. So you've got Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudarshan and Karun Nair. You can choose from these three in that opening slot. Gill can be No. 3 and No. 4 can be KL Rahul. So that adds a little more strength in the batting,” he said.

Predicting the opening pair, he added, “And then you've got Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jaleja. You've got all these guys coming back. Gill can come number three. It's just my opinion. We're not talking about what they've planned. So I think if you ask me, because he's leading, so he'll get enough time to just relax and then walk into the bat happily. So Jaiswal and Sudharsan can open, with Gill at No. 3 and KL No. 4. No.5 can be Pant.”

Kohli’s departure will also see Rahul fall under immense pressure, if he bats in the No. 4 slot. Kohli took over in that slot from Sachin Tendulkar in 2013, and had never batted at No. 4 in Tests before that, but soon made it his own. After Kohli pulled out of the home series vs England last year, Rahul filled in at No. 4 in the first Test in Hyderabad and registered 86 and 22, before missing rest of the series due to injury.

Watch India tour of England from 3:30 PM, June 20th onwards LIVE On Sony Sports Ten 1 & Sony Sports Ten 5 channels

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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