The highly-awaited five-Test series between India and England is set to commence on June 20. With the initial match being played at Headingley, Leeds, the series represents a new era in Indian cricket as Shubman Gill becomes the full-time Test skipper. Following the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the longest version of the game, the attention now shifts towards a new, young Indian team, headed by Gill, with the task of winning a red-ball series in English conditions. One of the key concerns for the Indian team management heading into this high-stakes series is the composition of the batting order. With Kohli announcing his retirement from Test cricket ahead of the upcoming series, the No. 4 spot once held firmly by the batting legend is now vacant. The void left by Kohli’s departure brings with it an important selection headache: who can take up that critical middle-order role? Saba Karim, ex-India selector and wicketkeeper-batter, also chipped in on the debate and expressed his views. In an interview with NDTV, he opined that KL Rahul is optimally placed to occupy the No. 4 slot for the coming series. Karim stressed Rahul's experience and adaptability in English conditions as determining factors that make him an ideal choice to assume the crucial role at No. 4. Also Read | Cricket is Poorer Without Kohli and Rohit, Says Joe Root Here is what Karim said: “KL Rahul’s role becomes monumental in the absence of Virat Kohli. He is technically sound, has the temperament, and has done well in England before. He is someone who can handle early setbacks and also build an innings. I think there’s a lot of maturity in him over the past season and a half. That’s the kind of responsibility the Indian team management should trust him with,” Though Karim has supported Rahul for the position, the Indian think tank has a number of players to ponder. Peculiarly, Gill, who will likely bat at No. 4 according to initial reports, can also steady the middle order considering he also has a leadership role. That would, however, require rearranging the top order and coming up with a new opening partner for Yashasvi Jaiswal. Karun Nair, who has come back to the domestic arena with regular performances, is another name in the consideration list. He has experience and a known Test triple century behind him, though he has been away from the national team for some time.