According to former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar, who believes that neither Shubman Gill nor Karun Nair will be at number three. He feels it might be a tie between Sai Sudharsan and Abhimanyu Easwaran for the spot. India gave up some hints regarding their potential batting order for the England Tests during their intense batting practice sessions on June 8 and 9.

When India Test captain Shubman Gill faced Jasprit Bumrah on both occasions, Sai Sudharsan received a great deal of care and consideration from the management.

When the whole team was available on the fourth practice day, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal stepped up in the nets first, followed by Gill and Karun Nair. Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel occupied the third net.

At least in the first Test, this might have been a good predictor of what the top six might look like. But according to Bangar, neither Karun nor Gill will be at number three. Additionally, he thought Karun ought to bat a little lower in the order.

According to the former India batting coach Bangar, Gill will bat at number four.

“I think none of them in my book (Gill or Karun at No. 3?). If at all, Karun is playing, he would bat slightly lower down the order. All indications are that Shubman Gill may bat at No. 4. So, the toss-up at No. 3 is going to be between Sai Sudharsan and Abhimanyu Easwaran. Easwaran also got a good score in one of the practice matches they played,” Bangar was quoted as saying by India Today.

Additionally, according to Bangar, Karun will bat at number six, Pant will bat at number five, and either Sudharsan or Easwaran will enter at number three.

"I don’t think there is going to be any difference there. One of those two will play at No. 3. No. 4 will be Shubman Gill and No. 5 will be Rishabh Pant, and No. 6 will be Karun Nair. That’s my understanding of the situation," said Bangar.

The first Test between India and England will get underway at Headingley on June 20.