Ajit Agarkar informs Virat Kohli's replacement about his new Number 4 responsibility for India in Tests

The chairman of the India selection committee, Ajit Agarkar is likely to hand over the captaincy to Shubman Gill and also count Gill to bat at the no. 4 position.

Shubman Gill’s name has been buzzing more in the past few days as he is likely to take over the captaincy of the Indian team in the longest format.

Read also: After Tests, Gautam Gambhir openly announces Shubman Gill's takeover as India captain across all formats

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Ajit Agarkar told Shubman Gill to bat at Virat Kohli’s place

It was reported that Gill is advised to bat at Virat Kohli’s position in Test cricket after retiring from the format. Ajit Agarkar has already met Gill and counts him to bat at the no. 4 position over his regular no. 3 position in the red-ball format.

Batting at no. 4 will be easier for Gill after an exhausting day in the field as a skipper. The selectors are looking at him as the next superstar of Indian cricket.

Virat Kohli carried the legacy of Sachin Tendulkar and batted at the no. 4 place in Test cricket, and after Kohli’s departure, Gill is likely to carry the legacy of two greats in Indian cricket history.

The former players were not in favor of Ajit Agarkar’s decision to make Gill India’s next skipper, but the selection committee is realising the potential of India’s ODI vice-captain.

Shubman Gill could address the press conference

Gill is likely to be announced as the new skipper for India in red-ball cricket, and the announcement will be made in the selection meeting for the England tour on May 24, Saturday.

Gill could himself address the press conference alongside Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai.

The selection meeting for the England tour will take place around 12:45 pm, followed by a Press Conference at 1:30 pm.

Who will replace Shubman Gill’s no. 3 position in Test cricket?

With Gill set to step into Kohli’s position, the no. 3 positions in India's playing XI open the gates for many players like Sai Sudarshan, Karun Nair, and Sarfaraz Khan.

Sai is the front-runner to get the opportunity to bat at No. 3 in Test cricket for the Indian team. Sai’s form has been exceptional since IPL 2024 and might make his debut for India in the red-ball format.

KL Rahul might be a wildcard option to bat at No. 3, but the Indian team might use him as an opener with Yashasvi Jaiswal. The biggest challenge will be to handle the new ball in the English conditions.

Nair’s form in red-ball cricket in the last domestic cricket has been exceptional, as Nair might get the opportunity. Nair is also making his return to the Indian Test squad after nine years.