With Shubman Gill's selection as the new red-ball captain, a new generation will assume the reins during India's forthcoming Test series against England, which begins on June 20. Having announced their retirements, R. Ashwin, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma are no longer a part of the Test lineup. The only two remaining members of the old core group are Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja. With Sai Sudharsan ready to make his Test debut and Karun Nair anticipated to return after eight years, India's top order is likely to look different.

Many supporters believed that Gill would open the batting with the young Yashasvi Jaiswal following Rohit's retirement. However, with Sudharsan's arrival, there is more depth, and the GT batter was playing well in IPL 2025.

Former BCCI selector forecasts India's top lineup

Venkatapathy Raju, a former Indian cricketer and former BCCI selector, shared his thoughts with on the possible batting template that head coach Gautam Gambhir will use in the first Test against England. Raju believed that Gill could claim the No. 3 position as his own, particularly with Sudharsan's addition. Raju, who was a selector for India's winning 2007 World T20 team, also believed that KL Rahul could substitute Kohli's long-time spot at number four.

"I believe Gill can be number three. Therefore, Karun Nair, Sai Sudarshan, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. You have three options for that first position. No. 3 can be Gill, and No. 4 can be KL Rahul. "That gives the batting a bit more oomph," he remarked.

He continued, "And then you've got Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jaleja," as he predicted the opening pair. You have all of these men returning. Gill is able to finish third. This is only my viewpoint. We're not discussing their plans. I believe he will have plenty of time to relax and stroll into the bat happily because he is in charge. "Jaiswal and Sudharsan can open, with Gill at No. 3 and KL No. 4. Pant can be No. 5."

If he bats in the No. 4 position, Rahul will also be put under a lot of strain following Kohli's exit. Kohli, who had never batted at No. 4 in Tests prior to that, quickly made it his own after taking over in that position from Sachin Tendulkar in 2013. Rahul stepped in at No. 4 in the opening Test in Hyderabad after Kohli withdrew from the home series against England last year, scoring 86 and 22 before leaving the series due to injury.

Read Also: Jasprit Bumrah Likely to Play Entire England Test Series, Provided He Can Absorb the Impact

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