4 Potential Players Who Can Replace Shikhar Dhawan As Opener In T20Is

Indian limited-overs opener Shikhar Dhawan hardly had a sniff in T20Is for his failure to convert small scores into milestones having played 10 matches in this year. He hasn’t scored even a single half-century, which pretty much sums up the whole scenario of his batting performance. He registered his best of 41 against Bangladesh this year.

He has also scored just 222 runs at an average of 22.20. Now that his overall performance hasn’t been up to the mark, the Indian selectors may possibly think about replacing him with some other player who can solve India’s top-order woes in T20Is once and for all. Let’s take a glimpse at the four key players who can replace Shikhar Dhawan as an opener in T20Is.

#1. KL Rahul

Under the tutelage of Virat Kohli, the selectors considered KL Rahul as a distinct possibility to feature him as an opener more often than not. Suffering from inconsistency fever, KL Rahul’s inability to cement a place is haunting him like hell. However, given the kind of poor form, Shikhar Dhawan is in, there is a chance that the selectors may knock the door of KL Rahul.

#2. Rishabh Pant

Every Indian is very well aware of the fact that a promising talent like Rishabh Pant is wasting his opportunity more than anyone else in the Indian national cricket team. Time and again, his shoddy shot selection has come under fire for his terrible performances.

But what if he is given the chance to open for India? He is someone who can plunder runs at the top and there is a good chance he may shine as an opener. Will that drive away all the critics surrounding Pant? Only time will tell the true story.

#3. Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal got the nod to perform in the red-ball cricket. His incredible batting exploits profited to the tune of a maiden double century against South Africa in the opening Test which he would forever cherish for the rest of his life.

As an opener, he followed it up with a splendid century in the second Test. Having impressed the selectors with his mind-blowing performances, it is for sure no doubt that he may get a green signal to make his debut for India in the truncated version of the game.

#4. Shubman Gill 

If there is one bright prospect who with a beaming smile can take the Indian cricket forward, it has to be Shuman Gill. He is recognised as the future of India and giving him an opportunity would do a world of good. Despite chipping in with consistent performances of late in the domestic, as well as, in the unofficial ODI matches, he is still overlooked by the Indian selectors.

Recently, Gill has expressed his disappointment for not getting a maiden call-up to play for India. However, India’s chairman of selectors, MSK Prasad has asked Gill to wait for the opportunity.