India, May 29 -- With no Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin (all retired) and Mohammed Shami (dropped due to unsatisfactory fitness standards), the Shubman Gill-led India side is one of the least experienced ones to tour England for a full Test series. Sans Kohli and Rohit, India's batting line-up appears pale in comparison. Could the selectors have thought about Cheteshwar Pujara or Ajinkya Rahane as a stop-gap arrangement? They have done the same in the past. In fact, current India head coach Gautam Gambhir reportedly wanted Pujara in India's squad for the Australia tour but was denied by the selection committee. Did Gambhir place the same request this time too?

When Pujara was asked whether Gambhir had contacted him before...