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NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli’s Test retirement has forced the selectors to find a new, long-term option for the No. 4 slot. Kohli manned the position for over a decade after taking over from Sachin Tendulkar in 2013.India’s batting has worn a vulnerable look since Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane started fading away and Kohli and Rohit Sharma subsequently hit a prolonged rough patch. There is a strong possibility that Shubman Gill, touted as India’s next long-term captain, could be asked to take responsibility of the No. 4 spot to hold the batting together.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!However, it is not a straightforward call. Gill has been known to be a reluctant middleorder batter. It took much effort from previous head coach Rahul Dravid to convince him to give up the opening slot in Tests. One of the reasons behind the move was to prepare him for possibly taking up the No. 4 position when Kohli eventually vacated the spot.WV Raman, former India opener who coached India U-19s when Gill played, believes his spot should not be disturbed. “Gill has opened or batted at No. 3 all his life. KL Rahul is the most experienced batter in the lineup. We don’t have anyone to match the stature of Kohli and Tendulkar. In that scenario, the most experienced batter has to be given the responsibility of batting at No. 4,” Raman said.
The selectors are also considering including Rajat Patidar in the squad. Karun Nair too could be in England for the India A tour. It will be interesting to see if the committee looks at Shreyas Iyer, who has previously struggled overseas.Former India selector Devang Gandhi believes Rahul will do a good job at No. 4 given his experience in the middle order. “Rahul’s career has revolved around fitting in places where the team needed someone to fill in. At the moment, Sai Sudharsan is in form and has the confidence. Let him open,” Gandhi told TOI , “If the team management feels Rahul is settled at the top, then they should see Gill as the option to bat at No. 4. Gill has the game of a good middle-order batter. We saw that during his days with India ‘A’. And if he becomes captain, it could be a long-term responsible role.”
