With Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, India faces a major question—who will fill the crucial No. 4 position in the batting order? The spot, long held by Kohli, has been a cornerstone of India’s success in the longest format. Now, former cricketers Wasim Jaffer and Kris Srikkanth have offered their opinions on who should step into that role going forward.
Speaking to the Times of India, Wasim Jaffer believes Shubman Gill is the right candidate to take over the No. 4 slot. “I guess Shubman could be the guy. He opens in white-ball cricket, but in Test cricket, he needs to move down to 4,” Jaffer said. He backed KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal to continue as openers in the red-ball format, especially after their solid performances in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal have done well as openers in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. I feel KL should continue to open. Why change something that is not broken?” he explained. Jaffer also voiced his support for young Sai Sudharsan to be given a consistent run at No. 3, adding, “Sai Sudharsan looks assured, and he should be given a longer rope at No. 3.”
According to Srikkanth, KL Rahul should be the one to fill the void at No. 4
However, Kris Srikkanth has a contrasting opinion. For him, KL Rahul should be the one to fill the void at No. 4. “Coming to the question about India’s next No. 4 in Test cricket, for me, KL Rahul should be given that position. He can be India’s lynchpin going forward in Test cricket. He has got the right technique, and the management should give him that fixed role,” said Srikkanth.
On the question of India’s next Test captain, Srikkanth also had a different perspective than many. While Shubman Gill is reportedly in line for the role, Srikkanth said, “He (Gill) is not even a certainty in Test cricket. The captaincy should be given to Jasprit Bumrah, and if he is not fit or available for any match, then KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant should lead India.”
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