India’s new Test captain, Shubman Gill, is set to bat at no. 4 in the upcoming Test series against England, with Rishabh Pant retaining his position at no. 5. This decision comes after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma opted out of the Test format, leaving vacancies in the Indian batting order. Gill will take over Kohli's spot, while Pant will remain at no. 5.

Pant mentioned during a press conference that the no. 4 and 5 spots are fixed, with discussions still ongoing for no. 3. The first Test is scheduled to start on June 20 at Headingley.

Gill, who captained India in T20Is last year, has long been seen as a future leader and will now lead the team in Test cricket. His move to no. 4 aligns with expectations, providing stability to India's batting order in transition.

Formerly held by Kohli, the no. 4 position will now be filled by Gill, known for his calmness, flair, and adaptability. Pant, the vice-captain, has been consistent at no. 5 in the previous Test season. Despite speculation that Karun Nair might take the no. 5 spot, Pant has dismissed these rumors.

However, the uncertainty lies in the no. 3 position. Nair, who made a strong comeback with impressive performances, including a double hundred against England Lions, is a top contender. His role in the top three positions could depend on the debut of Sai Sudharsan, a left-hander with a consistent record across formats.

If Sudharsan is included in the playing XI, India may need to rethink their middle-order setup. Considering Nair's usual role as a top or middle-order batsman, dropping him to no. 6 would be unfamiliar. This dilemma highlights the importance of the no. 3 selection, especially with England's bowlers expected to exploit early movement at Headingley.