ENG Vs IND 2025: Rishabh Pant Confirms Shubman Gill’s Batting Order Ahead Of The First Test At Leeds

As the cricketing world shifts its gaze to Headingley, Leeds, for the much-anticipated five-match Test series between England and India, the subplots have begun to surface in waves. From India’s generational transition post the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to a fresh captain in Shubman Gill and the unveiling of a new-look batting order, the series opener on June 20 promises to be more than just another Test match—it heralds the dawn of a new era.

Pant Drops the Big News: Gill to Bat at No. 4

India’s vice-captain and first-choice wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant addressed the media in a fiery pre-match press conference, and the most significant revelation was the promotion of Shubman Gill to the No. 4 spot in the batting order. It’s a position synonymous with greatness in Indian Test history—having been owned for over a decade by the now-retired Virat Kohli. The decision is symbolic, weighty, and tactically shrewd.

“I think there is still discussion going on about who is going to play at No. 3. But 4 and 5 are definitely fixed. Shubman is going to bat at 4 and I am going to stick to No. 5 as of now,” Pant revealed confidently.

This move to No. 4 marks a crucial turning point in Gill’s career. He began as a stylish opener, briefly settled at No. 3, and now—under the glare of English skies and leadership pressure—he takes the most important slot in India’s lineup. It reflects the management’s faith in Gill’s technique, temperament, and mental resilience.

Gill’s Promotion: A Natural Progression or Risky Leap?

Since debuting in 2020, Shubman Gill has impressed with his fluency and flair. His 91 at Gabba in 2021 was the kind of innings that earns players legendary status overnight. Yet his form in the last year has been patchy, especially overseas. That the team has handed him both the captaincy and the No. 4 slot speaks volumes about their vision: a long-term investment in Gill as the axis of Indian cricket.

No. 4 in England isn’t a place for settling in. It’s a battleground, often facing the Dukes ball at its most dangerous. If Gill succeeds here, he won’t just replace Kohli in the lineup—he might inherit his aura.

The Pant-Gill Dynamic: A Foundation of Trust

Rishabh Pant, now firmly established in his vice-captaincy role post his inspirational return from injury, spoke warmly about his relationship with the new skipper.

“Me and Shubman have a really good camaraderie off the field. If you’re good friends off the field, it eventually shows on the field. The comfort zone we have with each other is going to be really special,” Pant stated.

This rapport could be pivotal in navigating the mental stress of this series. The duo is expected to stabilize India’s innings repeatedly—and given England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ style, middle-order composure will be critical.

India’s Batting Puzzle: Who Bats at No. 3?

With Gill locked in at No. 4 and Pant at No. 5, the No. 3 slot becomes a hot topic. Two strong candidates are in contention:

Karun Nair – The 32-year-old, best remembered for his triple century in 2016, has worked tirelessly in domestic cricket. He impressed in the warm-up fixture, showing solid defense and sharp catching in the slips.
B. Sai Sudharsan – An uncapped yet promising left-hander, Sudharsan has been earmarked as the future. His form across formats has been electric, but throwing him into a fiery Headingley cauldron might be a gamble.

For now, all signs point to Nair getting the nod. His technique suits English conditions, and his hunger for redemption is palpable.

Opening With Experience: Jaiswal-Rahul Duo To Start

India is expected to go in with the experienced KL Rahul and the aggressive Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top. It’s a right-left combination, one defensive and the other attacking, potentially neutralizing England’s early plans.

Rahul’s patience and off-stump awareness will be vital against the new ball, while Jaiswal’s natural strokeplay could unsettle England’s bowlers. Both have had injury setbacks and inconsistent form but will be hungry to stamp their authority.

Lower Middle Order: Jadeja, Reddy or Sundar?

India’s strategy for Nos. 6 and 7 will depend on the balance they seek between batting depth and bowling firepower. Ravindra Jadeja remains an automatic pick, offering spin, control, and lower-order runs.

The toss-up is between:

Nitish Kumar Reddy – The rising Andhra all-rounder who impressed in IPL 2025, bowls seam, and bats with maturity.
Washington Sundar – Offers off-spin and composed batting but lacks recent red-ball game time.

If India goes with three frontline pacers and Jadeja, Reddy might be preferred for his seam option. However, if spin becomes critical later in the series, Sundar could get a look-in.

India’s Probable XI for the First Test at Headingley

KL Rahul
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Karun Nair
Shubman Gill (c)
Rishabh Pant (vc & wk)
Ravindra Jadeja
Nitish Kumar Reddy / Washington Sundar
Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammed Siraj
Prasidh Krishna / Arshdeep Singh
Kuldeep Yadav / Mukesh Kumar

Bumrah’s Leadership Call and Its Ripple Effect

What’s notable is who is not leading this side—Jasprit Bumrah. Despite being India’s most fearsome bowler, Bumrah had earlier stated he declined the captaincy citing workload management and the impracticality of leading a five-Test series while recovering between matches. His decision allowed the BCCI to fast-track Gill’s leadership, and so far, the squad appears fully aligned with the young skipper.

England’s Threat: ‘Bazball’ in Full Swing

England, too, are in transition. With James Anderson retired and Stuart Broad already gone, the new bowling spearhead will be Chris Woakes, returning after six months. Joining him is the fiery Brydon Carse, making his home Test debut, and mystery spinner Shoaib Bashir, who impressed in India earlier this year.

Their batting lineup, though, remains seasoned and dangerous: Crawley, Duckett, Pope, Root, Brook, and Stokes. If England’s ‘Bazball’ fire meets India’s calculated discipline, sparks are sure to fly.

What’s at Stake in Headingley

The first Test isn’t just a game; it’s a tone-setter. For England, it’s about defending their fearless approach and proving it works even against quality bowling attacks. For India, it’s about finding a new identity under Gill, building a team for the future, and adapting to tough away conditions.

Can Gill handle the pressure of being both India’s batting anchor and its leader? Will Pant, once India’s x-factor, evolve into its stabilizer? Can Nair seize his second chance? Headingley may begin to answer all of these questions.

Final Word: A New Chapter Begins

This series will not only test cricketing skills but emotional resilience. As India steps onto the field without Kohli and Rohit for the first time in a decade, it enters a world of unknowns. But with Shubman Gill steering the ship and Rishabh Pant anchoring the heart, the new generation seems ready.

One thing is certain: this isn’t just the start of a series—it’s the start of a legacy.

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