As Team India gears up for an intense and potentially series-defining tour of England, discussions around the batting order have reached a fever pitch. In a development that has sparked debates across the cricketing world, a former BCCI selector has come forward to share his preferred playing XI for the five-match England Test series. His selection features some bold decisions, particularly the exclusion of Shubman Gill from the No. 4 spot and a new role for KL Rahul in the middle order. This lineup not only reflects a tactical shift but also underscores how India plans to tackle England’s swing-friendly conditions this summer.
Why Shubman Gill Is Not the Ideal No. 4 in England
One of the biggest surprises in this proposed team is the absence of Shubman Gill at the No. 4 position. Gill, once seen as the natural successor in the middle order after the decline of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, is now being reconsidered. While Gill is undoubtedly one of the most technically gifted and stylish batters in India’s modern-day setup, his performances at No. 4 in overseas conditions have been underwhelming.
The ex-selector emphasized that Gill’s technique, especially against moving balls, might not be ideal for English conditions. In England, where the Dukes ball swings longer and more unpredictably, batters need solid footwork, patience, and an ability to leave deliveries outside off-stump. Gill’s natural tendency to play on the rise and chase balls outside off has caused him trouble on previous tours. Despite his potential, the former selector believes that India cannot afford to take chances at such a crucial spot in the batting order during a tough away series.
KL Rahul’s New Role: Middle Order Stability
Another major change in the proposed playing XI is the decision to not use KL Rahul as an opener. Instead, he is being moved to a middle-order role, likely around No. 5 or No. 6. Rahul has had a history of opening in Test cricket, but his best performances in recent years have come when batting in the middle, where he has more time to assess conditions and settle in before taking on the bowlers.
The selector argues that Rahul’s maturity, calm temperament, and experience make him a perfect fit for this role. In England, where wickets often fall early due to movement off the seam, having a composed batter like Rahul in the middle can add resilience to the lineup. Moreover, Rahul has performed admirably in away tours when batting in challenging situations, making him an invaluable asset. With India looking to solidify its batting in the absence of Virat Kohli for at least part of the series, KL Rahul’s presence in the middle order becomes even more critical.
Opening With Experience and Youth: Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal
According to the former selector, the ideal opening combination for this tour would be Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Rohit, who is also the captain, brings in immense experience and the ability to play long innings, which is key in English conditions where surviving the first session is half the battle. His impressive technique against both pace and spin, along with a renewed focus on Test cricket, makes him a reliable option at the top.
On the other hand, Yashasvi Jaiswal brings youthful energy and an attacking approach that could disrupt England’s plans early on. His recent performances, particularly in the West Indies and domestic red-ball cricket, have proven that he is not just aggressive but also smart in how he builds innings. Jaiswal’s left-handed batting also brings variety to the top order, which can make life difficult for England’s right-arm seamers by changing the line of attack and forcing field changes.
A Case for Pujara at No. 3: Experience Over Experiment
Though he was dropped after a dip in form, Cheteshwar Pujara’s name is back in contention. The ex-selector believes Pujara deserves a recall, especially for this tour. The logic behind this is simple—experience in English conditions matters. Pujara has been one of India’s best performers in England in the last decade. His ability to absorb pressure, leave balls outside off, and grind bowlers down has helped India win and draw crucial matches in the past.
Unlike younger batters who might struggle with swing and seam movement early in the innings, Pujara is known for his patience and temperament, traits that are essential for a No. 3 batter in Test cricket. His inclusion would provide stability after the openers and allow the likes of Rahul, Iyer, and Pant to play more freely later in the innings.
Middle Order Firepower: Iyer, Rahul, and Pant
The middle order is set to be a mix of caution and aggression. Shreyas Iyer, despite his known issues with short-pitched bowling, is being backed for his ability to play spin well and counterattack when needed. The ex-selector sees Iyer as someone who can build partnerships quickly and rotate the strike effectively.
KL Rahul, as already discussed, will play a key stabilizing role in the middle. He can also bat with the tail and shepherd the innings if wickets fall in quick succession.
Rishabh Pant, if fully recovered from his injuries, is expected to take back his place as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper. Pant is a match-winner. His aggressive, fearless style of play can turn a Test match in a single session. If he’s not available, India may look towards either KS Bharat or Dhruv Jurel, but neither offers the same impact with the bat as Pant.
All-Round Balance: Ravindra Jadeja’s Role
In modern Test cricket, Ravindra Jadeja has evolved into a complete all-rounder, and his role in the team is non-negotiable. Jadeja is expected to bat at No. 7, where he has played many crucial innings for India in the past. His batting average over the last few years is better than many pure batsmen, and he often rescues India from tricky situations.
Apart from his batting, Jadeja’s accurate left-arm spin can exploit the rough patches created by fast bowlers, especially in the second innings. His athleticism and fielding are additional assets that help build pressure on the opposition. In English conditions, India may choose to play just one spinner, and Jadeja fits that role perfectly.
Fast Bowling Attack Led by Bumrah
When it comes to bowling, India’s pace attack remains its biggest strength, particularly in overseas conditions. The former selector has chosen Jasprit Bumrah to lead the fast bowling unit. Bumrah, with his unique action and ability to bowl unplayable deliveries, is a match-winner on any pitch.
Joining him will be Mohammed Shami, who is a seasoned campaigner and one of the most skillful seam bowlers in world cricket. His fitness will be closely monitored, but if available, he’s a sure-shot starter.
Mohammed Siraj also features in the lineup for his aggression, accuracy, and wicket-taking ability. His growth as a Test bowler has been phenomenal, and he played a key role in India’s earlier tours of Australia and England.
The fourth seamer spot is likely to be a toss-up between Mukesh Kumar and Arshdeep Singh. While Mukesh offers line-and-length consistency, Arshdeep brings in the left-arm variation that could be handy against England’s predominantly right-handed top order.
Why This Series Matters for India
This upcoming tour of England is not just another bilateral contest. It is part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 cycle, and every win and draw counts towards qualification for the final. India had a great opportunity to win the 2021 series in England, but it ended 2-2 after the last Test was postponed due to COVID-19 and played later in 2022.
Winning in England is seen as the ultimate test of a team’s skill, character, and discipline. The pitches are tricky, the weather can be unpredictable, and the ball behaves differently throughout the day. That’s why having a well-balanced and technically sound playing XI is crucial.
The former BCCI selector’s suggested lineup may not be the official final squad, but it reflects the kind of strategy India might need to adopt to win in England. Leaving out Shubman Gill at No. 4 and not opening with KL Rahul are big calls, but they are based on logic and performance trends.
This batting lineup aims to combine experience, form, and adaptability—the key ingredients needed for success in English conditions. With the official squad announcement expected soon, all eyes are now on the BCCI selectors. Will they make the bold decisions, or play it safe?
Only time will tell. Until then, the cricket world will continue to discuss and debate what could be India’s best chance yet to conquer England in a long Test series.
