Shubman Gill to Bat at No. 4: Dinesh Karthik Backs New Test Captain to Excel Against England

Shubman Gill is set to take on the crucial No. 4 batting position for India in the upcoming Test series against England, marking a significant shift in the team’s lineup. This follows Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket in May, leaving a void that Gill, the new Test captain, is poised to fill. Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has expressed confidence in Gill’s ability to succeed in the role, urging him to translate his impressive white-ball form into red-ball cricket. Karthik emphasized the pressure on Gill, not just as a batsman but also as a leader, given India’s recent struggles in overseas Test matches. Gill’s record in Test cricket includes 1,893 runs in 32 matches, with six centuries, but his performance in SENA countries has been a concern. Karthik also shared his preferred playing XI, highlighting KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal as openers and backing Sai Sudharsan at No. 3. He favored Shardul Thakur in the No. 8 slot, citing his performance in the intra-squad practice game. This series represents a defining moment for Gill as he aims to establish himself in the Test format.