Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons Shubman Gill’s decision to demote himself to number four position is an interesting move. Gill started his Test career as an opener but told former head coach Rahul Dravid that he would be more comfortable while batting at one down.
After Virat Kohli’s Test retirement, Gill is all set to move down to the number four position in the batting order as a leader. Gill doesn’t have a great record while playing outside the Indian subcontinent as he averages only 25 and he would be determined to turn the tables.
On Wednesday, vice-captain Rishabh Pant confirmed that Gill would bat at number four against England.
“It’s now been confirmed that the captain will play at No. 4. When you look at Shubman Gill’s career, it started with opening and how it reached No. 4, it’s a very interesting one, because people rarely go down the order from opening in Test cricket,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
The renowned commentator highlighted that batters have mostly moved up the batting order in India’s Test cricket history.
“They move up the order for sure. Someone might start at No. 5 or No. 6, and then slowly settle at No. 4 or No. 3. People rarely start as openers and then settle down the order. I don’t recall too many players. I don’t remember anyone in the Indian context, at least recently. Maybe once in a while, but not necessarily beyond that,” he observed.
Chopra feels Sai Sudharsan will be backed to bat at one down by Gautam Gambhir-led think tank.
“It means that only two slots are vacant in the XI. One vacant slot is No. 3, which I feel can be given to Sai Sudharsan. It could have been given to Abhimanyu Easwaran as well, but it feels as if the world is moving towards Sai Sudharsan. Otherwise, Karun Nair at No. 3 because we have seen him bat up the order in practice sessions many times,” he said.
Sudharsan recently scored 759 runs in IPL 2025 for Gujarat Titans and he would look to carry the same form.
Chopra reckons Karun Nair would bat at number six in the batting order against England. The former Delhi player believes Shardul Thakur might be the front runner for the seam bowling all-rounder.
“Karun Nair used to always be there among the top four batters who used to go to bat. So it could be Karun Nair at No. 3, but personally I feel Karun Nair at No. 6. It seems like Shardul Thakur will be the frontrunner. Nitish Kumar Reddy might also play with him, but there might be a place for only one of them,” Chopra observed.
The opening Test match between India and England will be played at Leeds, Headingley, from June 20 onwards.
