While the whole world applauds Rohit Sharma, the Test cricketer and captain, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has to find a replacement for him. They have apparently already decided on a ‘young leader’ who’ll likely be the India cricket team’s captain until the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, 2025-27.
But BCCI doesn’t just need to find a leader but also an opener. One mustn’t forget that Rohit was perhaps the best opener from 2019 until his form slump in late 2024. For some time, along with Rishabh Pant, he was also India’s best Test batter. His retirement is a two-faceted problem for BCCI.
Who can replace Rohit Sharma as India’s 2nd opener?
As mentioned, the board may have already found the answer to the first problem. But finding a Test opener isn’t easy. There are a couple of players already present in the team who can partner Yashasvi Jaiswal. And then we have someone who BCCI were looking to take as the backup opener for the India vs England Test series. These potential replacements are:
Shubman Gill KL Rahul Sai SudharsanCase for Shubman Gill
Gill had started his Test career as an opener. Even though he has transitioned into Cheteshwar Pujara’s number three position, half of his innings have come as an opener. Despite a great start, his numbers aren’t good. His record away from home as an opener is great, but his average increases (33.60) when he plays outside India.
His technique has been found out. Given how much the ball moves in England, especially early on, Gill may not be the best bet as Jaiswal’s partner. Although he’s played just 3 matches in England, he averages just 14.66. He’s never crossed 30 in 6 innings.
Shubman Gill’s Test stats as opener
SpanInnsRunsAverage100s50sHighest Score2020-232987432.3724128Case for KL Rahul
Rahul has batted at every position from one to six, barring number five. He’s as versatile as they come in Test cricket. But due to Rohit’s poor form in Australia, he returned to open. He scored two fifties there but gave Team India good starts often. More importantly, his partnership with Jaiswal looked good.
One factor that works in Rahul’s favour is that he’s at his peak. He knows his role and game now. Unlike the past tours. He does better in England as an opener than his overall stats. Rahul’s average increases, although not by much. But given how tough it is to open away from home, he’s a very good option.
KL Rahul’s Test stats as opener
SpanInnsRunsAverage100s50sHighest ScoreOverall2015-2583280335.03714158England2018-211859737.3121149Case for Sai Sudharsan
Unlike Rahul and Gill, Sudharsan hasn’t played Test cricket. He’s got just 4 international matches under his belt. But he’s done incredibly well under pressure in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Sudharsan has been the most consistent batter in the league since his debut for Gujarat Titans in 2022. Only thrice has he registered a single-digit score in 36 matches.
Yes, the IPL can’t be the barometer for Test selection. But Sudharsan has been exceptionally well while opening elsewhere. In the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, he scored 304 runs in 4 matches. He averaged 76 and scored a double century against Delhi. On top of this, he’s played for Surrey in the County Championship as well.
Sai Sudharsan’s first-class stats
SpanInnsRunsAverage100s50sHighest ScoreOverall2022-2549195739.9375123County Cricket2023-24828135.1211105This makes his case strong. He’s got no chinks in technique, much like Rahul. Also, the BCCI was already eyeing him as the backup opener for the India vs England Test series. He was part of India ‘A’ and scored a hundred against Australia A last year as well. He’s been on the radar for a while, and this might be the right time to throw him in.
Yes, it’ll be a lefty-lefty opening partnership between Sudharsan and Jaiswal, but one can’t forget that Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden are perhaps the greatest opening pair in Test cricket. If he’s the right man for the job, it shouldn’t matter that Sudharsan is a southpaw like Jaiswal.
Who will partner Yashasvi Jasiwal in England after Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement? Inside Sport India.
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