Pant shares India's batting line-up change for England Tests
Leeds, June 19 (UNI) As India prepares for the crucial Test series against England, newly appointed vice-captain Rishabh Pant has affirmed a significant change in the team's batting order for the first Test, revealing that Shubman Gill will take up the No.4 spot, while Pant himself will bat at No.5.
"I think there is still discussion going on, who is going to play No.3. But definitely No.4 and No.5 are fixed," Pant began.
"I think Shubman is going to bat at No.4 and I'm going to stick to No.5 as of now. And rest, we are going to keep on discussing about that," he said.
This change signals a major reshuffle in India's top order, triggered by the double retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill, who began his career as an opener and was later moved to No.3, will now take up the No.4 position alongwith the responsibility of filling a massive void left by Kohli.
The No.3 position, however, remains up for grabs wherein Sai Sudharsan is considered a strong contender for the spot, alongwith the returning batter Karun Nair. Both the players have been in outstanding form leading up to the red-ball series against England, making the selection an
intriguing decision for the team management.
India have picked a young squad led by a new Test captain and will be without the experience of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin. This would be the first time since 2011 when India will play a Test match without at least one of those three stalwarts being present, an ICC report said.
"Obviously, it's a new start for us, big people have left. Yes, there will be a gap, but at the same time, it's an opportunity for us to build a new culture from here or take a culture forward from there, just adding to it,' said Pant, acknowledging the gap in experience.
'I think being in a great frame of mind, helping the new players to learn and improve themselves in overseas conditions and sharing knowledge with each other, having that care and love in the
dressing room for each other — that is something we are looking forward to do," he said.
Shubman Gill is set to captain the side for the first time, with Rishabh Pant serving as his deputy. Despite their relative inexperience in leadership roles, Pant believes that his strong camaraderie
with the new skipper will be a big positive for this fresh-looking Indian team.
"I think me and Shubman have a really good camaraderie off the field — especially off the field. If you're good friends off the field, it eventually comes on the field," Pant said.
"It's much better for cricket always, and that is something I've always believed in. Me and him, we
get along really well together. We keep on having conversations, and the kind of comfort zone we have with each other — I think that is really going to be special for us," he added.
UNI BM
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
27 minutes ago
- News18
Young Shubman Gill's Photo Goes Viral As India's New Captain Braves Ultimate Test
Last Updated: Shubman Gill's photo from his younger days went viral on 'X' as wishes poured in to back the captain of Team India touring England for a five-match Test series starting Friday. Every child holding a bat or a ball dreams of playing for India someday. For some, cricket is a sport to catch up with their friends from the colony, and for others, it becomes a lifelong passion. When Shubman Gill was announced as the Test captain to lead India after Rohit Sharma's departure, one of the first reactions on social media was skepticism. It was a difficult test, after all. Being appointed as the captain of the red ball format ahead of a difficult England tour that includes as many as five Tests, is no walk in the park—Gill, 25, is the fifth youngest captain in India's Test history. Leading up to the Headingley Test between England and India, starting on Friday, June 20, most skepticism among some cricket fans has largely dissipated. They now believe that Gill will prove his mettle and lead India forward. 'From the soils of Punjab to the summit of Indian cricket — Shubman Gill, the son of Punjab Cricket Association, now leads the nation as Test Captain. The journey was never luck — it was destiny. You are the chosen one. And tomorrow, a new legacy begins. All of Punjab stands behind you. Now show the world why you wear that crown," a fan wrote while sharing a photo of Gill from his younger days. From the soils of Punjab to the summit of Indian cricket — Shubman Gill, the son of Punjab Cricket Association, now leads the nation as Test journey was never luck — it was are the chosen one. And tomorrow, a new legacy of Punjab stands… — Punjab Cricket Association (@pcacricket) June 19, 2025 When quizzed about what was more magnificent to him — winning a five-Test series in England or IPL — Gill had a simple response. 'Definitely the Test series in my opinion. You know, you don't get many opportunities as a captain to be able to come to England. Maybe two, if you are the best of your generation, maybe three," Gill said in a press conference. 'IPL comes every year and you get to go have a crack at it every year. So in my opinion, winning a Test series in England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa are bigger, (sic)" he added. Gary Kirsten Former India coach Gary Kirsten, who mentored the Indian Premier League franchise Gujarat Titans led by Gill, has backed the young captain for his new role. 'I think Shubman is going to be a great leader. He's a smart cricketer, he's got a good brain for the game and understands his game. He's very talented and a nice human being, which I think is important," Kirsten said while speaking on JioHotstar. 'The one thing I like about Shubman is that he walks the talk. He's very organised, very diligent with his training and preparation and that sets a great example for other players," Kirsten said. Kirsten added that when a leader is chosen, they are bound to go through a cycle of pressure and scrutiny. Sachin Tendulkar When Sachin Tendulkar was asked about Gill's appointment as the leader of the Test team, the cricket great asserted that he had faith in the youngster and that he was a good student of the game. 'Shubman is a talented player and very, very eager to go out and compete hard and bring laurels to the nation. I have faith in him. Whatever I have seen, I have interacted a bit with him. He is a good student of the game, and whatever I have seen him in IPL T20 leading Gujarat (Titans), he has been impressive," Tendulkar told former England cricketer Michael Atherton during an interview with Sky Sports. KL Rahul KL Rahul, aged 33, was reportedly not considered for India's Test captaincy due to his age, but he is more than happy to support Gill and provide guidance whenever needed. 'I reached out to Shubman the minute the team was announced, and when he was announced (as) the captain," ," Rahul told Sony Sports Network. '(I told him) You will always find me around, any help, any guidance, if you need someone to share something with or talk to, I'm always there. About the Author Anurag Verma Anurag Verma, News Editor at works independently for the Viral section. Bollywood, Cricket, Science, Tech, YouTube, Reddit, Meme Origins and everything Pop-culture are his forte. He covers More News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: June 20, 2025, 10:10 IST
Hindustan Times
29 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
India vs England 1st Test, Leeds weather forecast: Rain to disrupt proceedings after 'sunny' prediction at Headingley?
As Shubman Gill gears up to lead India in his first Test as captain, the skies over Headingley may have a say in how this new era begins. With the first of five Tests between India and England set to begin on Friday in Leeds, overcast conditions and intermittent rain are expected to cast a shadow over proceedings through the weekend. According to AccuWeather, Days 2 and 3 could witness afternoon showers, while light evening showers are likely on Day 4, too. Though Days 1 and 5 are expected to remain clear, the constant cloud cover and moisture could significantly impact playing conditions, favouring seamers and testing the batters' patience and technique. It is expected that the first day will have minimal cloud cover, with a rare sunny day on the cards in Leeds. In such conditions, India may be tempted to go in with four seamers, a move well-suited to the prevailing weather. The choice of a lone spinner could come down to Ravindra Jadeja's utility and batting strength, Kuldeep Yadav's wrist-spin threat, or Washington Sundar's dual value with bat and ball. The surface and overhead conditions could dictate terms more than pre-series planning. Several members of the Indian squad will draw confidence from their recent county experiences. Gill, who played for Glamorgan in 2022, made an instant impression, scoring 244 runs in just four innings at an average of 61.00, including a classy 119. Karun Nair, who is likely to feature prominently in the middle order, had a prolific stint with Northamptonshire, 736 runs in 14 innings at 56.61, including a double century. Sai Sudharsan too had solid exposure with Surrey, scoring 281 runs across two seasons. Among bowlers, Arshdeep Singh's experience with Kent, where he picked up 13 wickets, and Sundar's stint with Lancashire, 8 wickets and a five-for, could prove valuable in adjusting quickly to the demands of English pitches. As Gill leads a refreshed Indian unit into a series where conditions could swing momentum by the hour, the test isn't just against England; it would be against the English summer itself.
News18
41 minutes ago
- News18
Magnus Carlsen Reveals Feeling 'Washed And Useless' After 'Painful And Dumb' Loss To D Gukesh
Last Updated: Magnus Carlsen won his seventh Norway Chess title, despite a "painful" loss to World Champion D Gukesh. Nobody likes losing, let alone those who reign at the top. Magnus Carlsen is no exception to the same, as the World No 1 revealed the internal battles after suffering a 'painful…dumb' loss to reigning World Champion D Gukesh at Norway Chess. The 34-year-old Norwegian secured his seventh Norway Chess title, where he beat the likes of Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, Wei Yi, Fabiano Caruana, and Hikaru Nakamura to once again stake his claim as the best in the world. But, even the best have their embarrassing slip-ups. At the end of the day, one wrong move is all it takes to change an entire game. And that is exactly what happened at the tournament in a crucial match between Carlsen and Gukesh, where the Norwegian succumbed to a now-popular loss against the Indian teenager. Carlsen, who was visibly upset over the loss, ended up slamming the table before regaining composure and shaking hands with Gukesh. While his reaction has now prompted a series of remarks on the internet, including criticism from many, Carlsen himself opened up on the same and revealed the thought process behind his reaction. 'That was a really painful loss. Those hit a lot harder," Carlsen revealed in an interview on Pardon My Take. 'Honestly, part of me, when I had that loss (to Gukesh) recently, just felt it was so dumb and so unnecessary. It just made me feel so kind of washed and useless that my thought for a few days was just 'I'm not sure why I'm doing this.' When I win, it's good, but it feels kind of normal. Then when I lose, it's just, you know, for a moment, the world just falls apart." Well, thankfully for Carlsen, salvation was near, and he would attain the same, as the five-time World Champion secured the Norway Chess crown after a dramatic final round where his closest challenger, Gukesh, faltered at the last hurdle. It marked Carlsen's seventh triumph at his home event and underscores his enduring dominance in the classical format, despite stepping back from World Championship competition. He finished with 16 points, half a point ahead of Caruana, who capitalized on Gukesh's error to claim second place with 15.5 points, while Gukesh, who has had an up-and-down year as the reigning World Champion, had to settle for third with 14.5 points. First Published: June 20, 2025, 09:48 IST
