The baton has finally passed. As Rohit Sharma called time on a glittering Test career, India’s Test setup now looks for answers. The BCCI’s announcement of the squad for the five-match Test series in England has confirmed the inevitable — a new era begins under the leadership of Shubman Gill. With Rishabh Pant as his deputy and a couple of comebacks/debut calls given, the entire batting order will be different this time around.
Now that India looks to revamp the batting order, one big question remains: who replaces Rohit Sharma, the Test batter? While Yashasvi Jaiswal is a lock-in at one spot, the other is wide open. With Jaiswal now entrenched as the first-choice opener, attention shifts to three very different candidates — the experienced and versatile KL Rahul, the promising left-hander Sai Sudharsan, and the ever-reliable but overlooked Abhimanyu Easwaran.
KL Rahul the most likely opener!
KL Rahul is perhaps the most adaptable and selfless player in Tests. Since his debut in 2014, Rahul has played across the batting order, from opening the innings to even keeping wickets in emergencies. Well, he has batted as an opener, number three, four and at six as well. He remains one of the most flexible batters in India’s Test ranks but that chop and change can finally come to an end soon.
Rahul’s Test numbers don’t leap off the page — an average of 35.03 in 83 innings as opener — but context is crucial. His record in England stands out: 18 innings, 597 runs at 37.31, including two centuries, one of which was a masterful 149 at The Oval in 2018.
KL Rahul’s Test stats as an opener
| Span | Inns | Runs | Av | 100s | 50s | HS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2015-25 | 83 | 2803 | 35.03 | 7 | 14 | 158 |
| England | 2018-21 | 18 | 597 | 37.31 | 2 | 1 | 149 |
His most recent exploits came in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he returned to the top and gave India stability. He stood in as a captain when Rohit Sharma wasn’t available. While he may not always convert starts into big scores, Rahul often sets the tone against the new ball. His technique, calm presence, and adaptability make him a serious contender, especially in swinging English conditions, where he has previously done well.
At 33, Rahul is arguably at the peak of his game. He understands his role now better than ever and has shown leadership qualities, too, if needed. If the selectors want a seasoned option to partner Jaiswal and ease the transition post-Rohit, Rahul is the safest bet.
Sai Sudharsan – A certainty but not as opener
If Rahul brings experience, Sai Sudharsan offers the flair of youth and the hunger of someone on the cusp of something big. A rising star in Indian cricket, Sudharsan has made waves in the IPL for the Gujarat Titans and has now begun building his red-ball credentials too.
While he is uncapped at the Test level, his first-class numbers — 1957 runs at 39.93 with 7 centuries — suggest he’s not far from being ready. He has experience in English conditions too, having played for Surrey in the County Championship, where he averaged 35.12 across eight innings. Notably, he’s scored hundreds for India A, including a memorable one against Australia A last year.
Sai Sudharsan’s first-class stats
| Span | Inns | Runs | Av. | 100s | 50s | HS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2022-25 | 49 | 1957 | 39.93 | 7 | 5 | 123 |
| County Cricket | 2023-24 | 8 | 281 | 35.12 | 1 | 1 | 105 |
What makes Sudharsan’s case intriguing is his compact technique and temperament. He rarely looks flustered, and his conversion rate is impressive for someone so early in his career. In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, he averaged 76 with a double century.
Critics may argue that the IPL isn’t a yardstick for Test selection, but Sudharsan’s composure and consistency in a high-pressure tournament are what make him a certainty.
Will Easwaran get a much-deserved break?
There’s no name more deserving yet more overlooked in Indian cricket than Abhimanyu Easwaran. A consistent performer in the domestic circuit for over a decade, Easwaran has often been on the fringes but never quite made the final XI. That might finally change. Over the last five years, he has averaged 50 with 14 hundreds and 12 fifties in 44 first-class matches.
Easwaran is India A’s captain for the upcoming four-day matches against England Lions — a series that could well serve as a trial ground for the second opener’s slot. With 7674 runs from 101 first-class matches at an average of 48.87, including 27 centuries, his credentials are impeccable. He toils season after season in the Ranji Trophy but has never got an opportunity. Back in 2022, he was destined to play only to get out of consideration once again.
Technically sound and temperamentally steady, Easwaran is the kind of red-ball purist that selectors often claim to want. Yet, despite warming the bench during the IND vs AUS series and touring repeatedly with the Test side, he hasn’t been handed a debut. The upcoming India A games in England could be his moment to finally break through.
He’s also played in England before and understands the grind of county-style cricket. If Easwaran scores big for India A, especially against the Dukes ball and swinging conditions, it’ll be hard for selectors to look past him.
Who gets the nod to replace Rohit Sharma?
The final call could hinge on how the India A tour pans out. If Easwaran impresses with runs and leads from the front, he may finally earn his long-overdue debut. If not, Rahul’s versatility and past success in England make him a strong option, especially if India want to ease into the new era with a touch of experience at the top.
Verdict:
- Short-term stability: KL Rahul
- Long-term investment: Sai Sudharsan
- Deserving loyalist: Abhimanyu Easwaran
The post KL Rahul vs Sai Sudharsan vs Abhimanyu Easwaran – who will take up Rohit Sharma’s Test legacy as opener? appeared first on Inside Sport India.