Indian batsman Shubman Gill is poised for a new role in the upcoming Test series against England. He will not only captain the team but also bat at the pivotal No. 4 position. This strategic move is creating a buzz in the cricketing world, with the first match set for Headingley, Leeds.
Aakash Chopra, a former cricketer and current commentator, expressed his views on Gill’s decision, calling it an uncommon move in Test cricket. He pointed out that players don’t often shift down the batting order voluntarily, particularly openers. Gill has mostly opened the innings or batted at No. 3 in his 32-Test career.
Following Virat Kohli’s retirement and the subsequent vacancy at No. 4, Gill has taken on the responsibility. Chopra noted on his YouTube channel that it’s rare for openers to move down the order in Test cricket. He highlighted Gill’s distinctive journey, from opening the batting to securing the No. 4 spot.
Chopra also discussed a pattern in Indian cricket, where batsmen typically ascend the order as their careers progress. He used Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli as examples of players who began lower down and eventually excelled at No. 4. He also mentioned Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma, who remained opening batsmen throughout their Test careers.
Chopra concluded that while players typically advance up the order, shifting from opener to the middle order is not common. He stated he couldn’t recall such a move by an Indian player in recent years.