13 May,2025 02:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Cheteshwar Pujara (Pic: File Pic)
India's Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara feels that after Virat Kohli's retirement, the side needs a couple of series to find the right batsman to play at number four, according to ESPNcricinfo.
"We will need a couple of series to figure out who is well suited to bat at No. 4, because it's an important position. You need your best batter to bat at No. 4. And at this time, I think it's still a spot where the team management will have to figure out who is the most suited player at No. 4," Pujara said on Tuesday as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Earlier, Kohli played at the number four position in 99 out of the 115 Test matches since Sachin Tendulkar's retirement.
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Further, Pujara said that a lot of players are hunting their way to feature in the playing XI, but no one has secured a fixed spot at this stage.
"There are a lot of players who are making their way into the playing XI, no one has a secure spot at this stage. It's a process which will take some time," he said.
Team India will lock horns with England for a five-match Test series, starting from June 20. Ahead of the tour, the veteran of 103 Test matches said that one who performs well in England can have that number four position.
"It's still early days to make a call, but it will be important to see who performs well in England because someone who can perform well in England can have that No. 4 spot," concluded the 37-year-old.
The series against England will also mark the commencement of the new ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Previously, skipper Rohit Sharma, too, drew curtains on his Test career. It will be interesting to see how Team India deals with the absence of Rohit and Kohli in the longest format of the game.
Also, the Indian think tank will have a task to find the right pair to fit in the setup ahead of the England tour.
(With ANI Inputs)
