2 weeks Ago By Rishav Narang
After a disastrous home series against New Zealand, India will have the challenge to bounce back in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. India won the past two Test series Down Under and will be under huge pressure once again. India could be without the services of their captain, Rohit Sharma for the first Test match of the series in Perth (from November 22 to 26).
The opening batsman is likely to miss the game due to personal reasons. He should be back for the second Test match, starting December 6. As the fans wait for an official word on Rohit's availability, here we have a look 3 players who can replace him in the Perth Test match - Abhimanyu Easwaran Abhimanyu Easwarn is among the candidates who can replace Rohit Sharma in the playing XI.
The right-handed batsman made his return to Team India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and is presently part of the unofficial Test matches against Australia A. Abhimanyu has struggled against Australia A and managed scores of 7, 12, 0 and 17. He might have hurt his chances of making his debut with these below-par scores before the all-important series.
KL Rahul KL Rahul is a solid contender to face the new ball in the Perth Test match. The team management hinted at his inclusion in the playing XI by sending him to Australia early. Even though Rahul flopped in both innings in the unofficial Test match, his experience gives him an edge over Eawaran.
Rahul has been in and out of the playing XI in past one year. The right-handed batsman was sacked from vice-captaincy last year and isn't part of the leadership group either. Shubman Gill While Shubman Gil is confirmed to be featured in the XI playing in Perth, he could replace Rohit in the opening position.
Shubman is purely an opening batsman and he had to move down in the batting order in Test cricket due to Yashasvi Jaiswal's debut. Yashasvi has been opening the innings in Tests since 2013. Since Rohit will be available for the 2nd Test, Shubman will move back to the number 3 position after one game.
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