Beyond Rahul and Jaiswal: Who Can Be India's Third Test Opener?
With no clear backup opener in the squad, India look to groom fresh talent for future Test tours.
India's Test side is undergoing a transition after the retirements of several stalwarts, leaving the opening slot with limited cover. While Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul form the first-choice pair, the team lacks a dependable third option. Jaiswal's recent form has been inconsistent, and Rahul will be 35 by the end of the next WTC cycle, prompting the think tank to explore alternatives. Abhimanyu Easwaran's long stint as backup seems to have ended, making the search more urgent.
One name emerging in the discussion is Sai Sudharsan, who has already earned a Test cap but batted in the middle order. His performances as an opener for India A were impressive, including a series where he averaged 166 across two matches. Despite being used at No. 3 previously, his ability to handle the new ball is well known, as shown by his composed century against Australia A after coming in early. With a potential vacancy at the top, Sudharsan could be groomed as the third opener, offering both reliability and long-term value for India's demanding overseas tours.