The great No 4 conundrum for India

Veteran batter Pujara feels newly-appointed Test captain Gill can continue at No 3 with experienced Karun coming in at No 4

- GOMESH S

EVEN as chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced the 18-member squad for the five-Test series in England and answered several questions on Saturday, there were a few that he had left to the newly named captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir to decide. And it was understandable.

There was no reason why Agarkar or India had to spell out their batting order three weeks before the first Test in Leeds.

One of the questions was about who will bat at No 4. In many ways, it has been a legacy position of sorts for Indian cricket. And with good reason. From the time Sachin Tendulkar walked out at No 4 against Australia during his maiden tour Down Under in 1992, the position has predominantly been held by two people. First it was Tendulkar and then, former India captain Virat Kohli. Unless there were tactical calls or injuries or exigent circumstances, by and large, the aforementioned duo had made the position their own, carrying forward the legacy.