From Shubman Gill To Hanuma Vihari: 4 Likely Opening Options Against Australia If Rohit Sharma Is Demoted In Virat Kohli's Absence

Team India will be without their inspiration captain and batting mainstay Virat Kohli for three of the four-match Test series against Australia. In his absence, the team-management is more than likely to tinker with the batting lineup. One of the changes could be demoting the experienced Rohit Sharma in the middle-order to provide the stability in Kohli’s absence.

Rohit has already claimed that he is happy to bat anywhere according to the team-management’s demand. In that case, India will have to find a new partner for Mayank Agarwal. So we are taking a look at four options who could open the innings against Australia if Rohit is demoted.

Prithvi Shaw:

He might have been the first choice opener had things not unfolded in an unexpected manner for him after his stunning Test debut in 2018 when he scored a century against West Indies. He missed the last tour of Australia due to an injury before missing the entire home season last year after being suspended for doping violation.

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During his absence, Rohit Sharma was promoted as an opener and made the most of the chance. Shaw, on the other hand, returned to the playing eleven for the two Tests in New Zealand earlier this year. He scored one fifty in Rohit’s absence but is not the first choice for the opening slot now. But with Rohit willing to bat at any position, Shaw could be persisted with as an opener.

Hanuma Vihari:

Predominantly a middle-order batsman, Hanuma Vihari is an option too to open the innings in Australia. He has opened before, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground when India toured Australia last time.

On that occasion he only made 8 and 13 but spent 80 minutes at the crease in the first innings, and nearly an hour in the second. His knocks helped him India see off the new ball without suffering much damage and the middle-order batsmen later made the most of it. More experienced now, Vihari could do well at the top if given a chance again.

Shubman Gill:

Among all the batsmen in the current Test squad, Shubman Gill is the only uncapped one. But that should not undermine his ability in red-ball cricket. The right-handed batsman, who is widely seen as the next big thing in Indian cricket, has a stellar record in first-class cricket.

In 21 first-class games so far, Gill has scored 2,133 runs at a stunning average of 73.55 with the help of seven centuries and 10 fifties. His highest-score in red-ball cricket is an impressive 268.

KL Rahul:

KL Rahul is no stranger to opening the innings in Test cricket. The right-handed batsman has been in stunning form in white-ball cricket since being dropped from the Test side after the tour of West Indies last year. He is likely to be a part of the playing eleven at least after Virat Kohli departs.

And in case, the team-management decides to demote Rohit, Rahul will be suitable candidate to open the innings along with Mayank. He shares a good rapport with his state and IPL teammate and would definitely love to open with him for the national team. Rahul has fond memories of Australia too, having scored his maiden Test hundred in the country.