5 Players Who Can Replace Shubman Gill In The Indian Test Team

With few good knocks since his international Test debut, Shubman Gill has emerged himself as a promising opener for India in the Test format. The 21-year-old player made his debut during India vs Australia Test series under ICC World Test Championship in December last year. Playing as an opener, he smashed 259 runs in 6 innings with 2 fifties and proved himself to be a worthy batsman at the opening spot. He also scored 119 runs in the Test series against England, which comprised one half-century.

So far in 15 innings, the right-handed batsman has mustered 414 runs at an average of 31.84 with 3 fifties. Although Shubman Gill is a good choice for the Test opener for the Indian team, there are some other players too who can excel at the opening slot. There are few batsmen who can be more valuable than Gill in the Test team. In this listicle, we talk about 5 players who can replace Shubman Gill in the Test team.

5 Players Who Can Replace Shubman Gill In The Indian Test Team

Mayank Agarwal

Before Shubman Gill made an appearance in the Test team, Mayank Agarwal the top choice for the opener for India. The right-handed batsman has earned accolades with his impressive batting from the start of his Test career.

The 30-year-old player has scored 1052 runs in 23 innings so far at an average of 45.73. Agarwal has smacked 3 centuries and 4 fifties, out of which two were double centuries. Agarwal definitely has the confidence and skill to bat at the opening position and he can replace Shubman Gill in the Test team.

Prithvi Shaw

Prithvi Shaw struggled with his batting form last year due to which he was dropped from the Test team. However, the right-handed batsman took efforts to improve his batting and the result is totally visible since the start of 2021. In Vijay Hazare Trophy 2020-21, the 21-year-old player emerged as the highest run-scorer with 827 runs in 8 matches.

In IPL too, the Delhi Capitals opener showcased a phenomenal form, scoring 308 runs in 8 games. So far, Prithvi Shaw also has a good record in Tests, scoring 339 runs in 9 innings at an average of 42.37. He also accounts for 1 century and 2 half-centuries. Prithvi Shaw can be another substitute to Shubman Gill in the Test team.

KL Rahul

KL Rahul is another batsman who can replace Shubman Gill in the Test team. KL Rahul might be a powerful batsman in the ODI and T20I format but he made his international debut through Tests only in 2014. So far, the right-handed batsman has scored 2006 runs in 60 innings at an average of 34.58.

The 29-year-old cricketer has smashed 5 centuries and 11 half-centuries along with the highest knock of 199 runs against England. The wicketkeeper-batsman definitely has the capability to bat as an opener for India in Tests.

Wriddhiman Saha

Wriddhiman Saha is another player who can replace Shubman Gill in the Test team. Before Rishabh Pant gained the limelight with his incredible Test knocks against Australia and England this year, Saha was the primary choice for a wicketkeeper in the Test side. He is still a backup wicketkeeper for India for the upcoming Test series against England in August-September.

Saha has played as an opener in IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad before. Therefore, elevating him as an opener in Tests can also be a good option. In 52 Test innings so far, Saha has piled up 1251 runs at an average of 29.09. The 36-year-old has also scored 3 centuries and 5 half-centuries in Tests.

Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad has come to the limelight with his good performances for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021 and IPL 2020. However, the Maharashtra cricketer also has good stats in First-Class cricket.

In 36 innings for his domestic team Maharashtra, the 25-year-old has scored 1349 runs at an average of 38.54. He has also smashed 4 centuries and 6 half-centuries. Ruturaj Gaikwad can also emerge as a powerful opener for India in the Test if given an opportunity.