With Team India's Test team set to embark on a new era under Shubman Gill, a stunning stat has emerged ahead of the first of the five-match series against England in Leeds. It will be the first Test since 2011 that India will play without either Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin in their playing XI.
It was the fourth Test against England at The Oval in 2011 that such a Test had occurred when MS Dhoni was captain. Among the five, only Pujara and Rahane have not retired but are unlikely to play a Test again. Ashwin retired from the format in 2024, while Kohli and Rohit called it a day in 2025.
Kohli's retirement from Test cricket especially came as a shock to the fans, given his fitness levels as they thought the veteran still had 2-3 years left. He retired as the most successful Indian Test captain, racking up 40 wins in 68 Tests, including scripting a series victory in Australia.
Shubman Gill to bat at number four in Virat Kohli's absence:
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Meanwhile, Shubman Gill, who has replaced Rohit Sharma as Test captain, has confirmed that he will bat at number four. During a presser on Thursday, the 25-year-old said, as quoted by ANI:
"After Virat bhai retired, me and Head coach of the Indian cricket team, Gautam Gambhir had a discussion about it. We were both clear and he wanted me to bat at number four and I also wanted to bat at that number."
India are targeting their first series win on English soil since 2007.
