Leeds: 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.
