The Test series India/England will start in just two days. It shall start with the first match of the series at Headingley, starting June 20. Before the game, the large question among the fans was who would be hitting at No. 4 in the absence of Virat Kohli. Coupled with that, they also had the second question of the opening duo in the wake of Rohit Sharma. Just before the Headingley Test, Indian vice-captain Rishabh Pant disclosed the identity of the batter who will substitute Kohli.
🚨 Rishabh Pant PC "Shubman will bat at No. 4 and I’ll go in at No. 5" – Rishabh Pant confirms their batting order. https://t.co/nHq9DWpijv
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) June 18, 2025
Rishabh Pant reveals who will replace Kohli
Rishabh Pant, India’s new Test vice-captain, holds a press conference before the Headingley Test. This is where he had a major disclosure that Team India would bat the way they decided for the first Test. Pant said that the top order will have the partnership of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The two had earlier opened together on the Australia tour.
Shubman Gill to replace Kohli at No. 4?
Even ahead of the game, Pant indicated that Shubman Gill will bat in No. 4 position as opposed to Kohli. Pant himself too will bat No. 5 like in the Australia tour in England as well. But Pant also said that the debate is still on about the player who will occupy the number 3 position.
Squad
Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain & Wicketkeeper), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana
Also Read: ICC Rankings: Not Virat Kohli Not In List! See All India’s No.1 Across Different Formats Of Cricket
