IND vs SA 2nd Test: Rishabh Pant Faces First Major Captaincy Dilemma – Bat at No. 4 Himself or Hand Over to Another

Guwahati: As India take on South Africa in the second Test of the series at Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati, new Indian captain Rishabh Pant is confronted with his first significant decision – who will occupy the crucial No. 4 batting position.

With Shubman Gill sidelined due to a neck injury, Pant has assumed the captaincy for India’s 38th Test, but the absence of the regular No. 3 batsman has also left the anchor position at No. 4 vacant – a role historically considered pivotal in Test cricket. Legendary batsmen such as Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli built their careers at this position, serving as the backbone of India’s batting lineup.

After Kohli’s retirement, Gill had moved up to No. 4 during England and West Indies tours, proving himself with consistent performances, scoring 939 runs in his last eight Tests at this spot. Now Pant must decide whether to bat himself at No. 4 or give the opportunity to another batsman, such as Dhruv Jurel, who will need to demonstrate his mettle against top-quality bowling.

Why No. 4 is the Most Critical Position
Statistics highlight the significance of this role: Tendulkar scored 13,492 runs in 179 Tests at No. 4, while Kohli amassed 7,564 runs in 99 Tests, and Gundappa Vishwanath made 4,108 runs in 67 Tests at the same position. Other stalwarts like Dilip Vengsarkar, Sourav Ganguly, and even Rahul Dravid (for 16 Tests) have occupied this key role.

The No. 4 batsman acts as the anchor of the innings, determining how long the team can sustain after a strong start. They are responsible for guiding the middle order and maximizing the team’s total, making this position critical for the match’s outcome and the team’s future.

Pant’s Choice: Himself or Jurel?
Looking at India’s playing XI for the Guwahati Test, the opening pair of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal will lead the innings. Sai Sudharsan is likely to bat at No. 3. Dhruv Jurel has shown promise recently but still needs to prove himself against top-class bowling. While batting coach Sitanshu Kotak indicated that Jurel could fill in at No. 4 if Gill is unavailable, the final decision rests with Pant.

This decision is widely seen as Pant’s first major test as India’s captain – a choice that could significantly impact the team’s performance in the ongoing series.