KL Rahul To Be Dropped, Rohit Sharma To Open Innings In South Africa Tests: Report

India Test opener KL Rahul is highly likely to be dropped from the Test squad for South Africa series, making way for Rohit Sharma as an opener. Rahul’s poor run with the bat is the prime reason which can see him vacate his spot. Since March 2018, he has just scored 548 runs in 23 innings.

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With Prithvi Shaw not available for selection, Rahul got another opportunity on the tour of West Indies but he could not capitalise on the opportunity. After yet another failure with the bat, the pressure built on team management to take a call on him.

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Rohit Sharma

Experienced Rohit Sharma has been backed by former greats to open the innings in Tests. Recently, a report in Mumbai Mirror suggested that India head coach Ravi Shastri is also keen on getting Rohit as an opener in Tests, which could surely see him open the innings in the home series against South Africa.

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Rohit went to West Indies as a middle-order batsman but did not get a chance due to presence of Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari. With Vihari shinning with a century in West Indies, he has fixed his spot which means no place for Rohit in the middle-order.

He is expected to be given complete series against South Africa before selectors decide whether to continue with him or not.

Abhimanyu Easwaran, the consistent performer in domestic cricket, is also knocking the doors but might have to wait for his chance. He recently scored a century in the final of Duleep Trophy.

KL Rahul To Be Dropped, Rohit Sharma To Open Innings In South Africa Tests: Report
Hardik Pandya (Credits: BCCI)

There is no change expected in the middle-order. Though it remains to be seen if Hardik Pandya makes a comeback in the Test side or not. In case he makes a comeback, Bhuvneshwar Kumar or Umesh Yadav will have to make way for him.

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Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the T20Is series against South Africa, will be making a comeback after small rest. The home series will also see him play his maiden Test in India..

The three-match Test series kicks off on October 2 in Visakhapatnam. The second and third Test will kick off on October 10 an 19 in Pune and Ranchi, respectively.

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