No Rohit Sharma! 3 Players Who Can Open Alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal In 1st BGT Test Vs Australia

Rohit Sharma to miss 1st Test Vs Australia [Source: @SPORTYVISHAL/X.Com]

Still not confirmed, but there have been reports stating that India skipper, Rohit Sharma will miss the first Test Vs Australia in Perth due to personal reasons. This will be a massive jolt to the Test team, who are looking to win the series Down Under for the third successive time.

Rohit's absence will not only be felt as a leader, but as a batter as well. Over the last 5 years, he has been India's best Test batter and the team will feel his absence, especially on a bouncy track in Perth.

However, with no Rohit, India need to find a solution and a new opening partner for Yashasvi Jaiswal. We have listed down 3 players, who can fit in well to replace the India Test captain.

3) Give domestic stalwart Abhimanyu Easwaran a chance

Abhimanyu Easwaran has been grinding it out in the domestic circuit for ages, and it is time he gets his due reward. The Bengal batter is a prolific batter and one of the best technical batters in India at the moment.

On Australia's bouncy pitches, Team India needs someone who can absorb pressure at the top, so that the middle-order batters can reap rewards. With Jaiswal playing his naturally aggressive cricket, Easwaran can bind his time and can frustrate the bowlers, to form a formidable opening partnership.

2) Ruturaj Gaikwad finally breaks through the Test side

Another technical batter, this time from Maharashtra. Ruturaj Gaikwad is normally associated with his exploits in the IPL, but because he has such a good T20 game, people forget that Ruturaj is also an excellent red-ball player.

In 33 first-class matches, the right-handed batter has aggregated 2282 runs, at an average of 42.25. He is also calm and composed, a trait which is always welcomed in Australian conditions.

1) Old position for Shubman Gill, surprise package at number 3

With Rohit Sharma ruled out of the first Test, India can play a tactical battle by pushing Shubman Gill at the top of the order. Gill, had his best overseas tour on the Australian shores last time around, and during that period, he accumulated the runs as a specialist opener.

In recent times, he has cemented his place at the number 3 spot, but that spot could be taken by an old guard in Cheteshwar Pujara. Pujara has been Australia's biggest nemesis, and in the previous two tours, he was India's MVP.

Hence, to absorb pressure and frustrate the Aussies, India can play him at number 3, and that can allow Gill to open alongside Jaiswal.

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