Wasim Jaffer picks India’s new No. 4 for ENG vs IND 2025 Tests

Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer has said the opening duo of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal should continue to open the innings in the upcoming five-match Test series against England. The opening pair had done a decent job on the Australian tour, especially in the first half of the series.

Jaffer said Shubman Gill should move from number three to four after Virat Kohli’s retirement. Gill will be under the scanner on the upcoming England tour as he hasn’t scored a century outside the Asian conditions.

The right-hander could only manage 93 runs in five innings at an average of 18.60 against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar series. Furthermore, Gill has managed only 88 runs in three Test matches in English conditions.

Jaffer said on TOI, “I guess Shubman could be the guy. He opens in white-ball cricket, but in Test cricket, he needs to move down to 4. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal have done well as openers in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. I feel KL should continue to open. Why change something that is not broken?”

On the other hand, the former domestic giant backed in-form Sai Sudharsan to get a long rope at number three position. Sudharsan has amassed 1957 runs in 29 first-class matches at an average of 39.93.

“Sai Sudharsan looks assured, and he should be given a longer rope at No. 3.”

Sudharsan has scored 509 runs in 11 matches at an average of 46.27 and a strike rate of 153.31 in the ongoing IPL 2025 and thus he has played a key role in the success of Gujarat Titans, who are at the top of the standings with eight wins in 11 games.

India would take on England in the opening Test at Leeds, Headingley from June 20 onwards.