5 Indian Players Who Can Replace Rohit Sharma In T20Is

Rohit Sharma has retired from the shortest format after completing the unfinished task of winning an ICC title for Team India. Rohit Sharma-led India team won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and the tournament for the second time after 2007. 

Rohit Sharma was the best batter for the Men-in-Blue in the tournament. With 257 runs in 8 games including 3 half-centuries and 156+ strike rate, he ended as the top run-getter for the team. Overall, he was the second-highest run-getter. 

The Indian skipper made his T20I debut in September 2007 against South Africa and concluded his career against the same team in the T20 World Cup 2024 final. With 5 tons and 4000-plus runs in the shortest format, the former MI captain has been one of the best T20I openers to play for India. 

Team India has a powerful skipper like Hardik Pandya to replace Rohit Sharma in T20Is. However, it will be challenging to find a powerful opener like him. Below are 5 Indian players who can replace Rohit Sharma as openers in T20Is. 

Also Read: Watch: David Miller, Quinton de Kock left absolutely shattered and heartbroken after T20 World Cup final loss

5 Indian Players Who Can Replace Rohit Sharma In T20Is

5. Ishan Kishan 

Ishan Kishan is the first member of this list. The left-handed batsman is a regular opener for the team in the shortest format since 2022. 

However, he was injured just ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and could not return to the side in time. Kishan is a powerful opening batter and has been a consistent opener for Mumbai Indians in IPL over the years. 

4. Yashasvi Jaiswal 

Yashasvi Jaiswal entered the Indian team as a cub but roared like a lion on the field as an opener in his first game itself. The left-handed batsman shattered 171-knock on his Test debut against West Indies to break many records. 

Later, he also came up with a ton in IPL 2024 and as a result, was picked as one of the openers for the recent T20 World Cup 2024. He is another good choice for a T20I opener. 

Also Read: Watch: Jay Shah's prophecy fulfilled as Rohit Sharma plants Indian flag in Barbados after T20 World Cup triumph

3. Abhishek Sharma 

Abhishek Sharma impressed everyone with his batting show in IPL 2024 with his hard-hitting style; smacking 484 runs in 16 games at a 204+ strike rate. His quickfire batting helped SRH to surpass the highest team total twice and reach the final; where they ended as runners-up.  

We have seen that young players do a marvelous job in the shortest format and Abhishek is one of those. He can be tried as an opener and we might see Sharma replacing Sharma in the shortest format. 

2. Ruturaj Gaikwad 

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been a consistent batter in the Indian Premier League and Indian Team since 2020. The right-handed batter was made the CSK skipper in IPL 2024 replacing MS Dhoni. 

Although CSK did not reach the playoffs this time, Gaikwad ended as the second-highest run-getter after Virat Kohli with 583 runs in 14 games. The Maharastra-born player has also scored a ton and 3 half-centuries in 17 games in the shortest format. 

1. KL Rahul 

Another player who can replace Rohit Sharma as opener in the shortest format is KL Rahul. Although Rahul is often criticized for his slow starts, even Sharma was a similar player who used to change gears towards the later end. 

Rahul has done a wonderful job as Rohit Sharma's opening partner and has won the orange cap in IPL multiple times. In IPL 2024, the right-handed batsman mustered 520 runs including 4 fifties, and was the top run-getter for his team.