India's vice-captain and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has confirmed a key change in the team's batting order ahead of the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds, starting Friday, June 20. Pant disclosed that skipper Shubman Gill will bat at No.4 in the series opener, taking over the crucial position vacated by Virat Kohli following his retirement from Test cricket. Pant himself will continue at No.5, with the No.3 spot still open and to be decided soon.

Gill, who started his Test career as an opener, has gradually moved down the order to provide solidity in the middle order. This move comes as India looks to rebuild its red-ball batting core following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Kohli in May. The team aims to secure a Test series win in England, a feat they haven't achieved since 2007.

The upcoming five-match series, now played for the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, marks a new chapter in the India-England Test rivalry. Both teams are undergoing transitions, and this series will be crucial for India to showcase their strength in the absence of key players.