India have been dealt with a huge blow after young batsman Prithvi Shaw was ruled out of the opening Test against Australia with an ankle injury. But Indian captain Virat Kohli has the bench strength and here are a few players who can replace Shaw and open the batting for the side. The opening duo of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan in limited-overs cricket can be allotted the top two spots in the batting line-up for the Test series against Australia if Kohli decides to experiment.
Rohit is not at all new to opening, having played in the same position for the national side in the limited overs format for five years now. Given KL Rahul's lack of runs as a Test opener, Rohit can prove to be a game changer if gets the chance to open the innings in the longest format of the game.
Dhawan, on the other hand, is quite familiar with the Australian conditions and has been in sublime form for the past few weeks in ODIs and T20Is. He, however, was earlier dropped from the Test team after his failure to score runs overseas.
Another player who can get the chance to open the batting for India is Karnataka batsman Mayank Agarwal. Agarwal has been performing exceedingly well for two domestic seasons now. He can be called to grab the top spot alongside Murali Vijay, who can be an easy and obvious pick.
Tamil Nadu's Vijay was recalled in the Test squad in the wake of his previous success in Australia and constant poor display by KL Rahul.
Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Shaw had sustained a lateral ligament injury and, therefore, he would now be required to undergo an intensive rehabilitation programme to hasten the recovery.
Shaw twisted his ankle while attempting to take a catch off Australian opener Max Bryant on the deep midwicket boundary during the third day of the lone tour match against Cricket Australia XI. As he was trying to flick the ball back into play, he landed awkwardly with his left ankle bending 90-degrees inwards.
Medical staff immediately rushed to attend Shaw before he was carried off the field by India physiotherapist Patrick Farhart and a support staff member into the dressing room before the match resumed.(Also Read: Prithvi Shaw ruled out of first Australia Test)
India and Australia are slated to play the first Test from December 6 at the Adelaide Oval.
