Since the last time India toured England, the team has lost its No 2, No 3, No 4 and No 5. In a month’s time, the India Cricket Team will begin their new era, sans Virat Kohli, who made the No 4 spot his own, playing 160 innings. Even though other spots have been filled up, No 4 is vacant now as India tour England once again.
Virat Kohli, who announced his Test retirement on May 12, averaged just 33.21 in England in 33 innings. But it was the 2018 tour that defined Kohli’s Test career. After struggling on the 2014 tour, Kohli reworked on his technique and returned as the monster, scoring two centuries and three half-centuries in a series where he scored 593 runs at an average of 59.30. There will be no Kohli in this English summer, at least playing Test cricket. Hence, who will take up that huge responsibility that Kohli took from Sachin Tendulkar?
Who replaces Virat Kohli at No 4?
Candidates:
- Shubman Gill
- KL Rahul
- Karun Nair
What does your starting top 4 look like for England?
#TimeOut pic.twitter.com/bFxs4sKO4X
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 21, 2025
Shubman Gill
There are at least three candidates: Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Karun Nair for the IND vs ENG Test series. While Aakash Chopra wants Sai Sudharsan at No 3 and Shubman Gill at No 4, Sanjay Bangar wants to see Karun Nair at No 4.
For Gill to occupy No 4 spot, he will need to give up on the No 3 dream. Cheteshwar Pujara left a legacy of a warrior at No 3, scoring over 6500 runs in 155 innings at an average of 44.41. Gill failed to match that legacy. At No 3, Gill has scored 1019 runs at an average of 37.74. In away Tests, the average drops down to 19.27 in 12 innings. While it is not enough time to judge a batter, Gill has certainly not impressed in his early days.
However, if India are to accommodate Sai Sudharsan in the Test Playing XI, Gill will need to drop to No 4, vacating No 3 for the Tamil Nadu batter. But should the team management give him No 4 slot when Gill averages only 14.66 in England?
KL Rahul
In 101 innings, KL Rahul has opened the innings, played at No 3, No 4 and No 6. Now, Mr Flexible could once again see a change in his batting position. But this time, it could be permanent. Despite succeeding as the opener in England, averaging 37.31 in 16 innings, including two centuries, KL Rahul could be asked to take up No 4 role after Virat Kohli’s Test retirement.
The question is, should India take that call? Rahul has suffered from constant tinkering of his batting position. And, his most success has come as an opener. While he has done very well at No 5 in ODIs, red-ball is a different ball game. Furthermore, with Rohit Sharma also vacating the opening slot, India need an experienced player to give them a good start. Rahul should be the one to open instead of Sai Sudharsan.
KL Rahul in England
| Batting position | Inns | Runs | HS | Avg | 100 | 50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 18 | 614 | 149 | 34.11 | 2 | 1 |
| As an Opener | 16 | 597 | 149 | 37.31 | 2 | 1 |
| At No 3 | 2 | 17 | 13 | 8.50 | 0 | 0 |
Karun Nair
At 33 years of age, Karun Nair is dreaming of a Test comeback. He has done everything right, as Sanjay Bangar pointed out in an ESPN Cricinfo show, and now, it’s his time to claim that spot. With Virat Kohli vacating the spot, another experienced batter should take up the slot.
Nair’s only century (a triple hundred) for India came when he batted at No 5. He has batted at No 4, 5 and 6. However, if Nair returns and takes the No 4 slot, where does Sai Sudharsan fit in?
The team management must take a call on potential vs experience. Even though Sudharsan has shown great potential, should India give him the benefit of the doubt or trust Nair’s experience? It’s a call that will define the new era of Team India in the IND vs ENG Test series.
The post 1 spot, 3 contenders: Who will replace Virat Kohli at No 4 in IND vs ENG Test series? appeared first on Inside Sport India.