Rohit Sharma Retires from Test Cricket: Who Will Fill His Shoes?

Rohit Sharma's Retirement Announcement

On Wednesday, Indian cricketer and captain Rohit Sharma declared his retirement from Test cricket, concluding a remarkable journey of 67 matches filled with memorable moments. His departure leaves a significant gap at the top of the batting order, raising questions about who will partner with Yashasvi Jaiswal as the new opener.

Rohit's Impressive Test Career

Rohit enjoyed a stellar career as an opener, which began with the establishment of the ICC World Test Championship in 2019. Over 66 innings, he accumulated 2,697 runs at an average of 42.81, including nine centuries and eight fifties, with a personal best of 212. After a rocky start marked by inconsistency, he revitalized his career with standout performances, notably scoring 176 and 127 against South Africa in Visakhapatnam.

Career Highlights

Making his Test debut against the West Indies in November 2013, Rohit played 67 Tests, amassing 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, featuring 12 centuries and 18 fifties. His highest score of 212 was achieved during a memorable home series against South Africa in 2019. He concludes his Test career as India's 16th-highest run-scorer in this format, starting with a notable 177 against the West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Potential Replacements for Rohit Sharma

As Rohit steps away, several players are in contention to take over his role as a Test opener:

1. Shubman Gill: Gill has shown promise as an opener, debuting during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. He has scored 259 runs in three matches at an average of 51.80, but has yet to find form in SENA countries. Overall, he has 874 runs in 16 matches as an opener, with a best score of 128.

2. KL Rahul: Rahul is statistically India's most successful opener since his debut in 2014, with 2,803 runs at an average of 35.03. He has faced challenges with consistency but has delivered strong performances in various conditions.

3. Sai Sudharsan: A less conventional choice, Sudharsan has excelled in county cricket and has a solid first-class record. He scored 1,957 runs in 29 matches at an average of 39.93, showcasing his potential as a long-format player.

4. Ruturaj Gaikwad: Although he has yet to play a Test, Gaikwad has shown promise in limited-overs formats and has a respectable first-class average of 41.77.

5. Abhimanyu Easwaran: With a strong domestic record of 7,674 runs at an average of 48.87, Easwaran has been a backup option for the national team but has struggled in recent outings.