With Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, India faces a crucial decision—who will take over the coveted No. 4 batting position? Veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara believes the team needs a few series to determine the best fit for the role.
Pujara’s Perspective on India’s No. 4 Spot
Pujara emphasized that the No. 4 position is vital, stating, “You need your best batter to bat at No. 4. At this time, the team management will have to figure out who is most suited for this role.”
Potential Candidates for No. 4
Several players are in contention for the spot:
- Shubman Gill – A strong candidate, but Pujara questions whether he can adapt to facing the old ball instead of the new ball.
- KL Rahul – Experienced across formats, Rahul could bring stability to the middle order.
- Shreyas Iyer – A natural middle-order batter, Iyer’s red-ball form could earn him a recall.
- Rajat Patidar & Devdutt Padikkal – Both have been tested in previous series but are yet to cement their place.
India’s Transition Post-Kohli
India’s five-match Test series against England, starting June 20, will be the first major challenge in the post-Kohli era. Pujara believes that performing well in England could be the key factor in determining the long-term No. 4 successor.
Final Thoughts
With India’s batting lineup undergoing a transition, the selectors will closely monitor performances in England before making a definitive decision on Kohli’s replacement.
