Pujara: India needs couple of series to find right man for no. 4 after Kohli's test retirement

ANI May 13, 2025 171 views

Cheteshwar Pujara emphasizes that India needs time to find the right replacement for Virat Kohli at No. 4 in Test cricket. He suggests the upcoming England series will be crucial in identifying the best candidate. Pujara believes the spot should go to a player who can perform well in challenging conditions. With Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired, India faces a major transition in their Test batting lineup.

"We need a couple of series to figure out who is well suited to bat at No. 4" - Cheteshwar Pujara
New Delhi May 13: Cheteshwar Pujara, who served as the backbone of the Indian batting order, believed the number four batting position is crucial, and it's where you want your top batter, as per a report from ESPNcricinfo.

Key Points

1

Pujara calls No. 4 crucial for India's Test batting order

2

England series key in deciding Kohli's successor

3

Team management must evaluate multiple candidates

4

No player has secured the spot yet

Pujara felt the Indian team needs a couple of series to figure out the perfect fit for that spot, as Virat Kohli's retirement from Tests poses an immediate question to India, who will be their next No. 4. Kohli batted at No. 4 in 99 of the 115 Tests since Sachin Tendulkar's retirement.

"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.

"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."

Pujara also believed that it will be important to see who performs well in England, and he felt someone who can perform well in England can have that No. 4 spot.

"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," Pujara said.

India's initial task as they navigate a phase without Kohli and Rohit Sharma is a five-game series in England in June, marking the beginning of the new ICC World Test Championship cycle.

As Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket, it will be a task for the Indian selectors to find their perfect fit in the top order.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Pujara is absolutely right! No.4 is the backbone of any batting lineup. We need someone with solid technique and temperament like Dravid or Pujara himself. Maybe Shubman Gill can step up? 🤔 #TestCricket
P
Priya M.
Why not try Iyer at No.4? He's shown promise in tough conditions before. The England series will be the real test though - swinging conditions separate the men from the boys! 🇮🇳🏏
A
Arjun S.
Transition phase is always tough. Remember how we struggled after Sachin-Dravid-Laxman retired? But we found Kohli. Now we need to be patient and back the youngsters. Jai Hind!
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Sanjana R.
Honestly, we're putting too much pressure on one position. Cricket is a team game - everyone needs to contribute. Let's not make another 'Kohli' out of whoever comes next. They deserve to play their natural game.
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Vikram J.
Pujara knows what he's talking about - 7000+ Test runs don't lie! We need someone who can bat time, not just flashy stroke-makers. Test cricket is about patience and grit. #OldSchoolCricket
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Neha P.
The England series will be make or break for many players. Hope BCCI gives proper chances instead of musical chairs with positions. Consistency is key in Test cricket! 🙏

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Tags:
Cheteshwar Pujara Virat Kohli India Test cricket No. 4 batsman England tour
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