All eyes will be on star India batter Virat Kohli, who is perhaps battling the biggest form crisis of his career.
Rohit's early dismissal in the final against South Africa triggered a top-order collapse.
Karun Nair's struggles at the crucial No. 3 position is a big headache for Team India.
With three centuries already in the series, Gill could join Don Bradman and Gavaskar in the elite club of captains who've hit the most hundreds in a single Test series, if he converts his current innings into a fourth on Day 5.
K L Rahul, the most consistent performer with the bat for the visitors so far in the series, completed 9,000 runs in international cricket across all formats.
Karun Nair has managed only 131 runs across six innings at a below-par average of 21.83, in the first three Tests against England.
Virat Kohli has spoken for the first time since his emotional decision to retire from Test cricket.
Rishabh Pant is the first-ever wicketkeeper-batter in the history of Test cricket to score 1,000-plus in an away country.
'One Test doesn't change anything about his life.'
Former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik praised India's Test captain Shubman Gill after he scored a record-equalling fourth hundred in the fourth Test against England.
Lionel Messi's much-anticipated visit to India has received its final seal of approval with the Argentine superstar set to kick off his three-city tour in Kolkata on December 12.
Head reckoned having closed-door sessions in Australia, shortly after India's unprecedented Test series defeat to New Zealand, would have allowed Kohli to find his rhythm.
While Gill's intent was to contain, former players believe he missed an opportunity to attack when it mattered most.
Once rated as one of the top batters of this generation, Virat Kohli's stock has fallen quite rapidly in Tests in recent years.
Gill clashed with England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, accusing them of deliberately wasting time.
While the young Indian team showed great resolve to earn a creditable draw in England, the series exposed several weaknesses that need urgent attention.
Australia spinner Nathan Lyon has nothing but respect for India's batting great Virat Kohli.
Ajinkya Rahane has expressed his desire to return to Test cricket for India-a format he deeply cherishes-despite receiving "no response" from the selectors.
Virat Kohli's nephew Aryaveer Kohli and Virender Sehwag's son Aaryavir Sehwag were both picked up by different franchises during the auctions held for the Delhi Premier League T20.
'One of the things I love about Virat's thought process on the game is, it is always the aggressive option.'
Mitchell Starc and Steven Smith believe that Virat Kohli is an Australian in the way he thinks, acts, and has the desire to perform in big games.
Stokes took his first five-wicket haul for eight years in India's first innings, an impressive feat given his recent injury issues.
In the recently concluded five-match Test series against England, India's star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant stood tall as a beacon of determination, battling through injuries to deliver a string of gutsy, crowd-pleasing knocks that underlined his value to the side.
Ravindra Jadeja continued his renaissance as a batter, delivering his best-ever outing during the recent Test series in England and joining a list of legends
Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali sees shades of Virat Kohli in Shubman Gill's aggressive on-field demeanour, but feels the India batter's approach during the Lord's Test may have triggered a stronger response from the hosts.
Virat and Anushka teamed up for a fun and unconventional cricket match, where Anushka took on the role of captain, introducing quirky and amusing rules for each delivery.
The India skipper will be eyeing the great Don Bradman's 88-year-old record for most runs by a captain in a Test series.
It won't be easy for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to remain fit and find a place in India's ODI World Cup squad in 2027, said former captain Sourav Ganguly.
England's Test skipper Ben Stokes has said it is a shame to miss the chance to play against someone like Virat Kohli in a blockbuster Test series and opined that India would sorely miss the maestro's fighting spirit.
Phil Salt's bat, which he used in the last two years including in the Indian Premier League, was initially deemed "to have failed an on-field gauge test" but later cleared after further examination, his club said.
India captain Shubman Gill surpassed Rahul Dravid's record for most runs by an Indian batter in a Test series in England.
'To have that drive to make a comeback to the Indian team despite all the hardships is commendable.'
Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his meteoric rise in international cricket with yet another outstanding overseas tour
Ollie Pope believes the young Indian side, led by a 'fantastic' Shubman Gill, has plenty of depth and talent, but it will miss the aura of Virat Kohli
Despite living in close proximity to the series venues, Kohli is expected to remain absent not just on the field, but off it too.
'The captain's an outstanding player. I think his technique is superb. His concentration and his temperament over this series has been brilliant.'
Bumrah, rested for the second Test against England, made a classy appearance alongside wife Sanjana Ganesan.
Virat Kohli's struggles against balls outside the off-stump in the ongoing Test series against Australia has the great Allan Border wondering if the Indian superstar has "just lost that edge".
RCB batting coach Karthik, who has shared the same dressing room with Kohli and has been with him since the announcement of the surprising decision, revealed the 36-year-old is enjoying the sport.
So far in the four matches of the ongoing five-match series against the Three Lions, India Test captain Shubman Gill has managed to score 722 runs in the eight innings at an average of 90.25.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances