India Begins New Test Era as Gill Leads vs England on June 20

Post by : Rinkal Joshi

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India vs England Test Series: A Fresh Start for Team India Under Shubman Gill’s Captaincy

India’s Test team is stepping into a brand-new era. On June 20, they’ll begin a five-match series against England at Headingley, but this time, things look different. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retiring from Test cricket last month, it’s the start of a fresh journey for Indian cricket.

The responsibility of leading this young side now lies with Shubman Gill. It’s a huge task, especially in English conditions, and fans are eager to see how he handles it. But there’s another big question — who takes over the crucial No.4 batting position that belonged to Kohli for over a decade?

Kohli had taken over the spot from Sachin Tendulkar back in 2013 and made it his own with consistent match-winning performances. Now, someone new will have to step into that role, and it won’t be easy.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes Gill himself should bat at No.4. He feels this will help Gill focus better on his captaincy without the extra pressure of opening or coming in too early.

Ponting shared his thoughts during an interview with The ICC Review. He said, “I think Sudharsan and Jaiswal should open the batting. Sudharsan looks solid and technically sound, which is what you need in England.”

Ponting added, “Gill has been opening or playing at No.3, but as a captain, it might be better for him to bat a little lower. He can anchor the innings without the stress of starting off.”

According to Ponting, the top five could be Sudharsan, Jaiswal, KL Rahul or Karun Nair at No.3, followed by Gill at No.4 and then Karun or Rahul depending on the final selection.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul is making a strong case for himself. In a recent India A match against England Lions, he scored a brilliant 116 while opening the innings. His knock was full of timing, calmness, and control. Dhruv Jurel also played well, adding a half-century to his name.

Rahul’s form puts the selectors in a tricky position. He’s shown that he can handle opening, but he’s also done well in the middle-order when needed. During the Border-Gavaskar series, he shifted positions depending on the team’s needs, showing his flexibility.

As the series opener nears, the final playing XI is still under discussion, but one thing is clear — this is a new look Indian Test team. It’s younger, fresher, and ready to carve out a new identity.

The absence of big names like Kohli and Rohit might seem like a disadvantage, but it’s also a great opportunity for the next generation. If players like Gill, Jaiswal, Sudharsan, and Rahul perform well, Indian cricket could be in very good hands for years to come

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