With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from Tests, the Indian team, on Thursday, arranged a new-look slip cordon during their final training session before the intra-squad match in Beckenham. While Rishabh Pant donned the big gloves, Karun Nair stood at first slip followed by KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
If the team goes by this slip cordon, Nair is all set to feature in the XI for the opening Test against England in Leeds, to be played from June 20. He smashed 204 for India A against England Lions in the first unofficial Test followed by scores of 40 and 15. After a prolific domestic season for Vidarbha, Nair could be a solution to India’s lack of experience in the middle order, at No. 3. Captain Gill is all set to bat at No. 4, followed by Pant at No. 5. Sai Sudharsan, who is coming off a stellar Indian Premier League season, might have to wait for his chance.
India will play a closed-doors intra-squad match in Beckenham in what will be their final preparation before the five-Test series.