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Indian opener Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the five matches test series against England owing to an injury that he picked up in the finals against New Zealand. This will be a big blow to his test career, as Gill had a lot to prove in the series against England, and he might have to wait for his next opportunity once he recovers.
Gill wasn’t able to score big in both innings of the World Test Championship finals against New Zealand despite showing a lot of promise at the start. His average of 31 in 8 tests is a testimony of how he hasn’t been consistent and this will be a good opportunity for the players waiting out there in the wings. Here are 4 batsmen who can replace injured Shubman Gill in India’s playing XI for England tests.
4 Batsmen Who Can Replace Injured Shubman Gill In India’s Playing XI:
Mayank Agarwal:
Mayank Agarwal should be the first choice backup option for Shubman Gill as he deserves his place in the Indian team for the performances he has put up in the World Test Championship. He had some poor scores in the test tour of Australia and it eventually led to losing his place in the playing XI to Shubman Gill.
Agarwal has played 14 tests so far scoring 1052 runs at an average of 45.7 and has gone to score three centuries and four half-centuries already in his career. He has a career-best of 243 which shows that he can play those long innings and he needs to make sure that he is consistent enough if he finds a place in the playing XI.
Hanuma Vihari:
Hanuma Vihari is a good option for opening the batting as he already has the experience of doing it in Australian conditions during India’s tour down under in 2018. His technique is excellent against the new ball and his immense experience in domestic cricket might just help the cause.
The 27-year-old has played 12 tests so far scoring 624 runs at an average of 32.8. He has scored one century and four half-centuries so far and his brave effort in Sydney to save the test for India will be remembered for always. He deserves a place in the playing XI and this might be the best time to promote him up the order.
Abhimanyu Easwaran:
Abhimanyu Easwaran is expected to be drafted from the reserves into the Indian squad as the replacement for Shubman Gill in the five-match test series and the Bengal lad has been around the eye of the Indian selectors for a long time now. India could try out a fresh face in Abhimanyu Easwaran to counter the English bowling attack.
The youngster has scored 4401 runs in 64 first-class matches at an average of 43.6 and is one of the consistent performers in the domestic circuit. The 25-year-old is tipped to be the future of India’s test side and he should get a nod soon in the playing XI.
KL Rahul:
KL Rahul hasn’t been in the Indian test squad for the last two years and he was dropped owing to poor form. However, his good form in limited-overs games earned him a place in the Indian squad again and he is part of the squad for the five-match test series against England.
Rahul has faced a lot of problems with the new ball in the past in test cricket and an injury to Shubman Gill might just push him up for a place in the playing XI at the top of the order. He had a decent record in test cricket until he was dropped and could be given a go.
