On Monday, May 12, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket after 14 years and 123 Test matches. This marked the end of one of the most illustrious careers the format has seen.
India will need to identify a No. 4 not only for the upcoming five-Test series against England next month, but also for the future due to Kohli’s retirement, which has both immediate and long-term effects. In fact, this is the first search for No. 4 that India has had to undertake in thirty years, since Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar have protected that position thus far.
Though Cheteshwar Pujara is unsure if No. 4 is Gill’s ideal place in the lineup, many believe Shubman Gill is meant to be Kohli’s successor.
“Someone who is better at playing the new balls is Shubman. Prior to beginning to bat at No. 3, he was opening the innings. When the ball is fresh and a little firm, he likes to bat. Will the ancient ball be enough for him to handle? “That is a big question right now,” Pujara said.
I would still argue that he should be batting in [the] top three because he has performed well with the new ball and it is his best position.
However, Pujara thinks Gill can undoubtedly replace him at No. 4 if he performs well there during the England tour.
Pujara stated, “He can be a No. 4 for the Indian team if he can be successful at that position and bat at No. 4 in England.”
It is the management’s responsibility to “figure out” the next long-term No. 4, according to the seasoned Indian hitter.
“We will need a couple of series to figure out who is well suited to bat at No. 4, because it’s an important position,” he explained.
“The best batter you have should bat at number four.” The team management will still need to determine which player is best suited at No. 4 at this point, in my opinion.
As of right now, Gill is rumoured to succeed Kohli as captain of the Indian Test team in addition to replacing him at number four.
India
