Gill Steps Up: New Number Four as India Faces England Without Kohli

Shubman Gill, the Indian cricket team's captain, has been assigned to bat at number four in the upcoming Test series against England, a decision made in consultation with head coach Gautam Gambhir following Virat Kohli's retirement from Test cricket, as reported by ANI on June 19, 2025.

This strategic shift comes at a time when India is preparing for a challenging series against England, with the team currently training in Leeds without Gambhir, who returned to India due to a family emergency, and VVS Laxman temporarily taking over as head coach.

The context of Kohli's retirement and the subsequent team adjustments highlight the evolving dynamics within the Indian cricket team, especially as they aim to maintain their competitive edge in Test cricket, a format where Kohli's departure leaves a significant gap in the batting lineup.