New Delhi: 

With just a day to go before the blockbuster series between India and England begins in Leeds, the suspense surrounding the batting composition of the Indian team is dominating the headlines. In the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, a lot of reshuffling is expected to happen in the team.

India aiming to end long drought:

Team India is aiming to end nearly a two-decade long drought in England and despite an inexperienced captain leading a relatively young side, have a good chance of getting the better off the home side, who are coming into the series with a depleted bowling attack.

India’s most recent series win came back in 2007 when they claimed a 1-0 victory over the hosts under the leadership of iconic cricketer Rahul Dravid.

The England series will also mark the beginning of India’s campaign in the new (2025-27) World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

Rohit’s opening position and Kohli’s No.4 slot is up for the grabs and there are plenty of candidates to take the opportunity.

Speaking to the media ahead of the series opener, India vice-captain Rishabh Pant put an end to the suspense over the No.4 and No.5 slots by revealing the preferred candidates to slot in the positions.

Pant opens up on batting composition

Pant said that skipper Shubman Gill, who used to open the innings, will, in all likelihood, will replace Kohli at No.4 which means KL Rahul is set to open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Pant also revealed his batting position and said that he will bat at No.5.

“There is still discussion going on who will bat at No 3. Shubman (Gill) will go in at No 4 and I will bat at 5”, said Pant in the press conference

The No.3 slot is either be taken by Karun Nair, who is making his international comeback after nine years or Sai Sudharsan. In case, the Tamil Nadu batter takes the No.3 spot, Nair could come after Pant at No.6, adding depth to the Indian batting.

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