6/20/2025, 5:26:01 AM | By ElipShop
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have announced their retirement from Test cricket. Senior pacer Jasprit Bumrah will also play only 2-3 Tests on the England tour. After Rohit’s retirement, young batter Shubman Gill has been appointed as the new captain of the Indian Test team.
With senior players missing, head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Gill now face four important questions regarding the team combination. In this story, we explore those key decisions — who will open in Rohit’s place, and who will bat at No. 3 if Gill takes the No. 4 spot?
1. Who Will Replace Rohit as the Opener?
Rohit retired from Test cricket on May 7. For the last six years, he was India’s regular red-ball opener. Since 2023, his partner has been Yashasvi Jaiswal. While Jaiswal’s place is secure, the big question is: who will partner him at the top?
Virat Kohli retired from Tests on May 12. He used to bat at No. 4 and was one of the most experienced members of the squad. With his departure, there's a major gap in the middle order. That gap will now be filled by Shubman Gill, who will bat at No. 4 for the first time in the opening Test. Vice-captain Rishabh Pant confirmed this in a press conference on Wednesday. This raises the next question — who will bat at No. 3? There are currently two contenders for the spot.
Due to workload management and injury concerns, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will play only 2 or 3 Tests in the England series. In his absence, based on experience, Mohammed Siraj is likely to lead the pace attack. He has been India’s most reliable seamer in recent times. Other options include Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur.
India has included three spinners in the squad for the England tour. These include all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, along with specialist spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Both Jadeja and Sundar can contribute with the bat, offering flexibility. The final decision on how many spinners to play will depend on pitch conditions and the team management's strategy.
