India's vice-captain Rishabh Pant confirmed on Wednesday that Shubman Gill will bat at No. 4 in the Test series against England, while he will follow the skipper in the No. 5 slot.
With the retirement of Virat Kohli, India needed to find a new batter for the No. 4 position, and Gill has been chosen for this crucial role.
"I think there is still discussion about who will play at No. 3, but No. 4 and No. 5 are definitely fixed. Shubman will bat at No. 4, and I will stick to No. 5 for now. The rest we will continue to discuss," Pant said.
Pant also mentioned that he shares a strong relationship with Gill both on and off the field.
"I believe Shubman and I have a strong camaraderie off the field, which translates into better performance on the field," he noted.
"We connect well, often having conversations that create a special comfort level between us."
On England's lineup, Pant mentioned that while the absence of veteran pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad is a relief, he does not underestimate the current bowlers.
"It’s good that Anderson and Broad are not playing. They’ve been a major part of England's bowling attack, but they still have a strong lineup," he explained.
"We can't take anyone lightly because our team is young and developing. We need to focus on our game and respect the opposition," concluded Pant.
The much-awaited five-match Test bilateral series will start on Friday with the first Test scheduled at Headingley in Leeds.
(With PTI Inputs)
