New Delhi: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has backed India’s newly-appointed Test captain Shubman Gill to bat at the crucial no.4 spot in the upcoming Test series against England. Virat Kohli was India’s mainstay at no.4, having taken over from the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, and performed exceptionally well at the position to help India forge their domination in the longest format.
However, after Kohli retired from Test cricket, there has been a lot of debate surrounding who should become India’s new no.4 in the longest format. While many believe the experienced Karun Nair, who will be making his Test comeback after 8 years, could be an ideal choice to bat at the challenging position, Shastri has picked skipper Gill to perform the role for Team India.
The former India head coach backed the experienced KL Rahul to open the batting with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the series, given the right-hander’s great record in Tests in England. He picked debutant Sai Sudharsan to bat at the important no.3 spot, which currently belongs to Gill. Shastri said he has been impressed by whatever he has seen of Sudharsan to back the prolific left-hander to bat at no.3.
“It would be (Yashasvi) Jaiswal, and with him will be K L Rahul, because I think this is a big tour for him. He’s the most experienced of the batsmen,” Shastri said on the ICC Review on Tuesday.
“He (Rahul) opened last time when India toured England, got a hundred, had a good tour. So I would hope for him to open the innings. Three, I’ll go with the youngster, Sai Sudharsan. Whatever I’ve seen of him he’s very impressive. This will be good exposure for him, this tour,” added the former India head coach.
Gill has never batted for India at no.4 in his Test career so far. Of the 32 matches he has played for India, the skipper has opened in 15 and has played at no.3 in 17 games. Gill would prefer to continue batting at his usual No. 3 spot, however, it remains to be seen what the Indian team management wants from the captain.
Ravi Shastri wants Karun Nair at no.5 against England
Contrary to the popular belief that the returning Nair should be replacing Kohli at no.4 in the England Test series, Shastri has backed the in-form batter to bat at no.5. Nair earned a Test recall on the back of his impressive performances in the domestic circuit and recently slammed a double ton in the practice match against England Lions.
“In all probability, depending on what current form is, it’ll be Karun Nair. He bats at five, it’s a long time since he played for India. Six will be (Rishabh) Pant. I think he (Nair) has worked really hard. He’s just worked his way back into the side. The number of runs he’s got in first-class cricket is incredible,” said Shastri.
Nair, who has never played a Test in England, will be looking to continue his fine form with the willow in his debut series in the country. The expectations are high from the 33-year-old, who is heading into the five-match Test series on the back of scoring a plethora of runs in domestic cricket.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri revealed his pick to bat at no.4 for India in the absence of Virat Kohli in the upcoming Test series against England. Shastri snubbed Karun Nair at no.4 to give him the no.5 slot in his line-up. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
