Indian cricket team’s Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma is constantly in the headlines. The ‘Hitman’ is going to become a father soon. In such a situation, Reports suggest he may miss the first or even the first two matches of the five-match Test series against Australia, starting on November 22. This raised the question of who would open in his absence. Now, the answer has been found.
BCCI Announces Test Squad Against Australia
Just a few days ago, the BCCI announced the team for the five-match Test series against Australia. Rohit Sharma is named captain, with fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah as vice-captain. With a fabulous performance in domestic cricket, Bengal’s star batter, Abhimanyu Easwaran, has been included as a reserve opener. However, Easwaran may not get an opportunity even if Rohit is absent. Speculation on this had already surfaced, but now Team India coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed it.
KL Rahul’s Role as an Opener Confirmed by Team Management
The Indian team is set to play a five-match Test series on the Australia tour, starting with the Perth Test on November 22. Earlier, India’s A team played two unofficial Test matches against Australia’s A team. In the second match of this series, KL Rahul opened the innings. While he didn’t score many runs, the team management’s intentions became clear.
Coach Gambhir Praises KL Rahul’s Versatility
Ahead of India’s departure to Australia, coach Gautam Gambhir praised KL Rahul, highlighting his versatility in adapting to the team’s needs. Gambhir stated, “KL Rahul has the quality to bat at the top of the order, at number 3, or even at number 6. It takes a lot of skill to play such a flexible role, and he even keeps wickets in ODIs.”
Gautam Gambhir said, “you need a lot of talent to bat at any position, and KL Rahul keeps wickets in ODIs too. Imagine how many countries have players like KL”. pic.twitter.com/h4XbVXqXew
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 11, 2024
Gambhir’s Remarks Reinforce KL Rahul as Likely Opener
Gambhir continued, “Think about how many players in international cricket can open like KL Rahul or play at number six if needed. I believe if the need arises, he can open the innings, especially if Rohit Sharma is unavailable for the first Test.”
Rahul’s Experience and Gambhir’s Confidence Signal His Opening Role
In the event of Rohit Sharma’s absence, all signs point to KL Rahul stepping up as the opener for the first Test against Australia. Given his adaptability and the trust placed in him by the team management, Rahul seems poised to take on this responsibility. Rahul also has valuable experience playing on Australian soil.
Easwaran’s Impressive Ranji Season and Potential
On the other hand, Easwaran dominated the 2024 Ranji season, proving he is ready to face the Aussie pace and bounce as an opener. However, Gambhir’s comments reinforce that Rahul is seen as the ideal candidate to fill this critical role, thanks to his ability to adjust across various batting positions. With his experience and skill, Rahul is expected to anchor the opening spot, giving Team India a strong start in this high-stakes series.