Team India’s newly appointed vice-captain Rishabh Pant has confirmed that new Test captain Shubman Gill will bat at No.4 for the first Test against England in Headingley, starting from June 20. Gill is all set to take over Virat Kohli’s place as India’s new No.4 batter after the retirement of Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Tests as well.

Speaking at the press conference, the wicketkeeper-batter said, “I think there is still discussion going on, who’s going to play at No. 3 but definitely 4 and 5 are fixed. I think Shubman is going to bat at No. 4 and I’m going to stick to No. 5 as of now, and the rest, we’re going to keep on discussing about that.”

However, after starting his career as an opener in the Test side, this will be the third role that he will have to take in the batting order as Gill moved to No.3 after Cheteshwar Pujara wasn’t picked after the World Test Championship final in 2023. And, Gill scored 1019 runs in 17 matches with three centuries so far as well.

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Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant has also said that the team is determined to bring some joy to the country following the massive aeroplane crash in Ahmedabad.

“See, what happened in the aircraft—I think the whole of India were saddened, disheartened. At the same time, the only thing from our side is, we are going to be sticking to them how we can make India happy again. Obviously, emotions are going to be high because of what happened in the crash. But at the same time, we want to put our best foot forward for the country,” Pant stated.

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Rishabh Pant also shared a light-hearted moment, admitting that he feels relieved not having to face the formidable pace duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad in the upcoming Test series against England.

“Definitely, it feels so good when both (Anderson and Broad) are not there. Because coming from the last two tours, they’ve been there for England for so many years and I’ve only come for two tours. But at the same time, they have enough ammunition as an England bowling line-up. We don’t want to take anyone lightly because our team is also young. They’re still looking to develop themselves. But at the same time, we’ve got to play our cricket and respect the bowlers and opposition where it needs it,” Rishabh Pant concluded.