KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane have missed out on being in the squad for the Test match that India will play against England to finally bring closure to the Test series that started in 2021. India currently leads the series by 2-1, and it is a golden opportunity for the Indian team to register a Test series win in England after almost 15 years. However, much has changed since India’s last Test match against England in 2021. Virat Kohli is no longer the skipper. Instead, Rohit Sharma will be leading the charge. Ajinkya Rahane, a mainstay of the Indian middle order, has faded away and is not selected into the squad. KL Rahul, who has emerged as one of the most reliable batters for India, is struggling from an injury and has missed out on making it to England.
Experts say that the team selected by BCCI has ignored many talents who could have replaced the duo of KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane perfectly in the playing XI. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma struggling in the recent cricketing action, the Indian top-order might be at the mercy of English bowlers. Kohli and Sharma would have too much pressure to carry the batting line-up since even the middle-order consisting of Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja is also struggling nowadays.
Here are 5 ideal replacements for KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane:
1) Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill has become a premium choice for an opener for India in Test cricket. He has proved his worth whenever he has been given chances at the top. His knock of 91 that helped India successfully chase down the target against Australia in Gabba will forever be etched into the hearts and minds of Indians. He can be a perfect replacement for KL Rahul at the top. India will most likely select him in the playing XI as the opener alongside Rohit Sharma. Gill’s technique is quite good against the moving ball, which will prove to be an advantage for the team. He is currently in the form as well and smashed a match-winning half-century for his team in IPL to help them lift the trophy.
2) Hanuma Vihari
Hanuma Vihari has emerged as a perfect batter for India to replace Cheteshwar Pujara at number three. However, Pujara is making a comeback to the Test squad against England. In the absence of Ajinkya Rahane, India can look to use Hanuma Vihari as an ideal middle-order batter who can stick around for a long time. No one can forget his brave effort against Australia in 2021 when his solid defence became the platform for India to turn around the series. Vihari can be slotted at 5th, followed by Pant and Jadeja in the upcoming significant encounter against England.
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3) Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer has been in very good touch in the last year or so for India. He played extremely crucial knocks against Sri Lanka in the Test series and saved the Indian batting from crumbling. Iyer’s attacking and defensive both games are strong, which is ideal for the conditions in England. A team needs a batter who can accelerate quickly if the wickets on the other end start to fall quickly. However, it will be a difficult decision for India to decide whom to play in between Iyer and Vihari since Virat Kohli will definitely be occupying the 4th spot in the batting order.
4) Mayank Agarwal
The flamboyant opener has been sidelined by the Indian cricket management over the past few months. He has not been selected for the Test against England. Mayank Agarwal suffered a bad run in Test cricket due to being neglected by the Indian selectors. He got chances here and there but never got a full-fledged run like KL Rahul to showcase his true potential in the longest format of the game.
5) Prithvi Shaw
The attacking opener from Mumbai is known for going after the bowlers from the get-go. He could have been a unique choice at the top-order alongside Rohit Sharma to disrupt the rhythm of English bowlers. Shaw never stops playing his counterattacking cricketing shots until he gets out. This quality of his makes him an ideal weapon in the English conditions where a game can be changed in just a few overs. Unfortunately, BCCI has not included him in the squad for the Test match against England.
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