With India's five-match Test series against England just over a week away, all eyes are on the team's new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, and the playing XI he will select for the opening match at Headingley on June 20. Following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, India is entering a new era in Test cricket, and Gambhir, alongside newly-appointed captain Shubman Gill, faces the daunting task of filling the void left by these two legends.

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has offered his advice to Gambhir, suggesting a bold move involving Shubman Gill. Speaking on a sports show, Uthappa advocated for KL Rahul to open the innings, citing his past success in that role, particularly his century in a recent India A game. To accommodate Rahul at the top, Uthappa proposed pushing Gill down to the No. 4 position. This would then create an opening at No. 3 for Sai Sudharsan, whom Uthappa believes is technically sound and possesses immense potential for Test cricket.

Uthappa's suggested lineup also includes a recall for Karun Nair at No. 5. Nair has been in impressive form, recently scoring a double century in an India A match earlier this month. Gautam Gambhir himself has hinted at Nair's inclusion in the first Test, emphasizing the importance of rewarding domestic performance. Gambhir stated that Nair would be given a "decent run" to showcase his talent.

In Uthappa's proposed XI, Rishabh Pant would slot in at No. 6, followed by Nitish Kumar Reddy at No. 7, providing a fast-bowling all-rounder option. This selection meant that Uthappa had to snub Shardul Thakur, despite his impressive performances in the Ranji Trophy.

Notably, Uthappa's suggested lineup does not include Kuldeep Yadav. While Kuldeep was an integral part of India's T20 World Cup-winning team, his place in the Test side has been inconsistent, often finding himself behind Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the pecking order. Gambhir has previously stated that the team selects the XI that they believe can best do the job, implying that Kuldeep, despite his talent, may not always fit into the chosen strategy.

The exclusion of Kuldeep Yadav is sure to raise eyebrows, given his recent success in the T20 format. However, Uthappa's focus appears to be on solidifying the batting order and providing a balance of experience and potential. The inclusion of Karun Nair, who has earned a Test recall after a prolific domestic season, signals a commitment to rewarding consistent performance in domestic cricket.

The decision of who will bat at No. 3 is a crucial one. While Shubman Gill has previously batted there, Uthappa's suggestion of Sai Sudharsan reflects a desire to provide stability and technical soundness at the top order. Ultimately, the final decision rests with Gautam Gambhir, who must weigh the various options and select a team that can overcome the challenges posed by the England series. The focus will be on whether Gambhir will opt for experience with Nair or give youth a chance with Sudharsan.