Ricky Ponting, an Australian legend, has revealed who should replace Indian ace Virat Kohli at no. 4 in the India playing XI in the upcoming five-Test series in England. Ponting also revealed a better opening option for India over KL Rahul.
India will begin a new era in Test cricket on June 20 when they play England in the first Test in Leeds. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma both retired from the format last month; therefore, Shubman Gill will captain the team without them.
Gill's captaincy is rightfully the center of attention, but Kohli's successor at number four is also a hot topic. When the legendary Sachin Tendulkar retired from cricket in 2013, Kohli took over the role, which he effectively maintained for the following 12 years.
Ricky Ponting, a former captain of Australia and multiple World Cup champion, believes Gill should take over for Kohli. Ponting thinks that Gill will be able to lead the Indian team more easily if he takes over the number four position.
Interestingly, Ponting doesn't want KL Rahul to open the innings.
"I think Sai Sudarshan and Yashasvi Jaiswal will open the batting (in England) as Sudarshan just looks like a class player to me, and technically I think he could do well at the Test level. They'll have two pretty young opening batters, so they might look to go for someone who's got a bit more experience at No. 3.
Whether that's KL (Rahul) or Karun (Nair) at No. 3, and then Shubman might end up being that No. 4 player, which will probably make life for him a little bit easier as a captain as well,” Ponting told ICC Review.
Ponting thinks the young player will be under pressure to play at no. 3 or open the batting, which has been Gill's assigned position in Test matches thus far.
“Not having to be opening or batting at No. 3 as a young captain might make it easier. Their top five will probably be Sudarshan, Jaiswal, KL, Gill, and Karun Nair for the start of the England series,” said Ponting.
Karun Nair has already claimed a place in the India XI with a double ton for India A in the first unofficial Test. And now KL Rahul has hammered a hundred for India A in the second unofficial Test as the opener, claiming his spot at the top of the order.
