Team India is facing a bit of a challenge. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retiring from Test cricket, they’ve got some big gaps to fill ahead of their five-match Test series in England this June. The No. 4 spot is the most crucial, as Kohli has held that position firmly since Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement in 2013. There are a few players who could step up, but former India opener Wasim Jaffer thinks Shubman Gill is the best choice for that role.
Jaffer pointed out that Shubman, who usually opens in limited-overs cricket, should move down to No. 4 for Tests. He’s also seen as a likely future captain for the team. “I think Shubman could be the guy for No. 4. He opens in white-ball cricket, but in Test cricket, he needs to move to 4,” Jaffer told the Times of India.
While KL Rahul could also fit the No. 4 spot thanks to his adaptability, Gill seems to be the long-term option. Jaffer thinks Rahul should stay as an opener, especially since he performed well during the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. “KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal have been great at the top. If it’s not broken, why fix it?” he said. He also believes Sai Sudharsan deserves more chances at No. 3 given his solid performances.
Speaking of Sudharsan, he’s becoming a favorite to make it into the playing XI for the England tour after scoring over 500 runs in IPL 2025. It’s still up in the air how India will line up Jaiswal, Rahul, Sudharsan, and Gill, but all eyes will be on them.
There are other contenders for the No. 4 spot too, like Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, and Shreyas Iyer, who could secure their places with good form. Still, Gill is looking like the top pick. Even though he has a Test average of 35 after 32 matches, he’s long been seen as the next stylish right-handed batsman, following in the footsteps of legends like Tendulkar and Kohli. Now that he’s in the running for Test captain, Gill might just grab that coveted No. 4 spot as well.
