5 Players Who Can Replace KL Rahul As Opener In Tests

5 Players Who Can Replace KL Rahul As Opener In Tests; Yet again, yeah, yet again and I repeat yet again, the right-handed batsman KL Rahul failed to make a mark of his own in the Test format of the game. After poor performances in England and Australia, KL Rahul once again displayed similar show in West Indies. Perhaps, this could be the end card for KL Rahul in Test matches or at least a break would be in the minds of BCCI selectors. Rahul has already got enough chances at the top of the order and he hardly tasted success there.

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With the ICC World Test Championship being the main priority, the upcoming series against South Africa could be the massive opportunity for selectors to try out the different opener, who can sustain in the team for a longer period.  Going with the performances in the domestic circuit and with the performances in India-A attire, we dug out 5 batsmen, who can replace KL Rahul in the side.

5 Players Who Can Replace KL Rahul As Opener In Tests:

5. Priyank Panchal:

The flamboyant batsman will be one of the choices for the selectors to try out in the home Test against South Africa. .After a stellar season with Gujarat back in 2017, higher honours came in the form of call-ups to the India ‘A’ team – a major accomplishment for a previously unknown batsman.

He has scored 6153 runs in 86 FC matches with 21 centuries and 23 fifties with a highest score of 314* and an average of 47.33. The last season wasn’t the first time Panchal had a dream run. Two seasons back, he helped Gujarat to their maiden title with a mammoth 1310 runs from 10 matches, falling just 105 runs short of VVS Laxman’s record of most runs in a season.

Once again, he had a fantastic run in the last season, which could push the selectors to have a look at him.  He already faced world-class bowlers when he was with India-A side.

4. Faiz Fazal:

Vidarbha’s skipper and the opening batsman Faiz Fazal is one of the best players available for India. He already made his debut for India in ODI format of the game but he couldn’t survive with seniors heading back into the side despite scoring an unbeaten 55*.

Riding on his 559 runs in 8 matches, Vidarbha reached the quarterfinals of the 2015 Ranji Trophy. But more than the Ranji success, it was his masterclass for Rest of India in the Irani Trophy that caught the eye of the selectors.

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In 116 Fc matches, Fazal has 7866 runs with the best score of 206 and has 19 centuries and 36 fifties to his name at an average of 44.51. His enormous patience to bat at the top-order would work for India.

3. Shubman Gill:

Shubman Gill is no longer a stranger for Indian fans. The youngster has got the right technique, which can be used in every format of the game. Though he didn’t make the most of the opportunity in ODI format, he can be an interesting choice for the selectors in Test format of the game. With the age on his side, he can serve India for a long time.

In 13 FC matches, he has 1348 runs with the best score of 268 at an average of 74.88 with four centuries to his name. He recently slammed 204* against West Indies A as well. The youngster got the patience to stand in the middle and already faced many world-class fast bowlers in his cricketing career so far.

2. Srikar Bharat:

The young wicketkeeper-batsman Srikar Bharat is one of the best openers available in the country. Apart from batting, Srikar Bharat has also got the goods to do wicket-keeping for the team. His consistency at the top could well be the chance for India to have a look in at least one series.

Making his First-class debut at the age of 19 against Kerala, Bharat has been one of the consistent run-getters for Andhra in the last few years. He made rapid strides both as a keeper and as a batsman at the domestic level. 2014/15 was Bharat’s breakthrough season where he scored 758 runs in Ranji at a healthy average of 54.14. He followed it up in the next seasons as well.

An additional advantage of having him in the team would be the flexibility of the team. If Srikar opens the innings, India can bring a specialist batsman in the middle-order or can play with an extra all-rounder at times.

1. Rohit Sharma:

Well, this is always on the cards. Rohit made his Test debut in 2013 but has not cemented his place in the format. Rohit has always batted in the middle order in Tests and averages 39.62 from 27 Tests with 1585 runs. He has scored three centuries, two of those coming in his first two games.

Rohit last played a Test in Melbourne earlier this year, where he scored an unbeaten 63 in the first innings. He then missed the remaining two Tests of the series – one with injury and the other for the birth of his daughter. Now, when he returned, Hanuma Vihari already cemented his place in the side.

So, the only option for Rohit Sharma would be to open the innings. Well, you know what would be the result if Rohit Sharma clicks at top of the order.