Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: Gautam Gambhir names 2 openers who can replace Rohit Sharma if he misses out Perth test

Rohit Sharma is doubtful for the first test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

The Indian Cricket Team is preparing for all scenarios before the first test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Perth. With Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s availability doubtful for the first test, India may need to make key adjustments to their lineup.

Six players – Virat Kohli, Mohammaed Siraj, Akash Deep, Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar and Yashasvi Jaiswal have already reached Australia, while the remaining squad members including India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir will depart soon.

Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Gambhir acknowledged that vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is expected to step up as captain if Rohit misses out on the first test.

Members of the senior team squad KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran both opened the innings for India A in their recent tour match against Australia A. With doubts surrounding Rohit Sharma’s participation in the first test, Gambhir hinted at two openers who could step in for the Indian captain in Perth.

Rahul and Easwaran can replace Rohit in the first test: Gambhir

Speaking during the press conference in Mumbai, Gambhir hinted at India’s opening solution for the first said, he said, “Obviously there is [Abhimanyu] Easwaran and there is KL [Rahul] there. So we will take a call closer to the first Test match if Rohit is not available,“There are options there, it’s not that there are no options there. There are quite a few options in the squad.“

On Rahul’s versatility, Gambhir added, “There are times when you go with the experienced players as well. And that is the quality of the man. That he can bat at the top of the order, he can bat at No. 3 and he can actually bat at No. 6 as well. You need quite a lot of talent to be doing these kinds of jobs as well. And he’s kept wickets in the one-day format as well.“

With Rahul and Easwaran as potential openers for the first test, India can also reshuffle their batting lineup if they opt to open the innings with Shubman Gill.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.