"I'm not too concerned about the numbers" - Former India wicket-keeper picks Shubman Gill's best batting spot ahead of ENG vs IND 2025 Tests

Former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta has backed Shubman Gill to replace Virat Kohli at No. 4 in Tests following the veteran’s retirement ahead of the five-match Test series in England, which begins on Friday, June 20. The former wicketkeeper downplayed Gill’s previous numbers in Test cricket while backing him to start afresh in the red-ball format.

It's worth mentioning that Gill has never played at No. 4 but had stints as an opener and No. 3 in the previous two World Test Championship (WTC) cycles.

Dasgupta told Star Sports (via India Today):

“From here on, we’ll be seeing Shubman Gill 2.0 — in a different position. I’ve always believed that in Test match cricket, the middle order — and now specifically number four — is the right place for him. Earlier, I used to say ‘middle order’ because we didn’t realise Virat would step away from the format this early. But now that the spot has opened up, I think number four is the perfect place for Shubman in red-ball cricket.”

“So, in a way, this is going to be a rebirth of Shubman Gill — the red-ball player, the red-ball batter. I’m not too concerned about the numbers from before, because as I said, those were from when he was opening or batting at number three. Technically, he’s much better suited to number four, or the middle order, in Test cricket,” he added.

“We will decide the batting order once we are there” – Shubman Gill remains tight-lipped about his batting position ahead of ENG vs IND 2025 Test series

Shubman Gill said that a final decision will be made following the intra-squad match ahead of the five-match Test series in England. The new Test skipper said in a press conference on June 5 (via Indian Express):

“We still have some time, we will be playing an intra-squad and have a 10-day camp in London. We will decide the batting order once we are there.”

Shubman Gill’s numbers in Test cricket:

Opener: 874 runs in 29 innings @32.37, including two tons and four 50s

No. 3: 1019 runs in 30 innings @37.74, comprising three tons and as many half-centuries

Away Tests: 716 runs in 28 innings @27.54, including one ton and two 50s

Home Tests: 1177 runs in 31 innings @27.54, comprising four tons and five half-centuries