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

New Delhi [India] May 13 (ANI): 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.

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. (ANI)

(The story has come from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by the Tribune Staff.)