With the retirement of Virat Kohli, India’s search for a replacement at the No.4 spot in Test cricket has begun. Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has proposed a strategic adjustment to India’s batting order for the upcoming Test series against England. Jaffer emphasizes that KL Rahul should continue as an opener alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, while Shubman Gill should transition from No.3 to No.4 to fill the void left by Kohli.
In the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Rahul and Jaiswal displayed remarkable form as openers, leading Jaffer to advocate for the continuation of this successful partnership. “KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal were magnificent as openers in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. I feel Rahul is best suited to open the batting. Why change something that is not broken?” Jaffer told Times of India.
Rahul’s statistics as an opener reinforce Jaffer’s suggestion. He has accumulated 2803 runs in 83 innings, averaging 35.04, with seven centuries and 14 fifties. Comparatively, his performance at No.4 has yielded 108 runs from two innings, including a top score of 86.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill has been impressive at No.3, amassing 1019 runs in 30 innings at an average of 37.74, including three centuries. As an opener, Gill has scored 874 runs across 29 innings, averaging 32.37. Jaffer believes Gill’s skills are well-suited for the No.4 position, offering stability and depth to the middle order.
Adding to the strategic reshuffle, Jaffer suggests Sai Sudharsan as a potential candidate for the No.3 spot. Sudharsan has demonstrated his capabilities in various formats, scoring 1543 runs in 36 IPL matches at an average of 46.75, with 11 fifties. In first-class cricket, he has registered 1957 runs in 49 innings, with seven centuries to his name.
India’s upcoming series against England presents an opportunity to test these new combinations and strategies. Jaffer’s insights aim to enhance the team’s batting lineup, ensuring both resilience and adaptability in challenging English conditions.
In conclusion, the proposed changes in India’s Test batting order reflect a blend of experience and youthful potential, aiming to maintain competitive edge in the post-Kohli era. As the team prepares for the England series, fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching to see how these adjustments play out on the field.
