Page 37 - The Indian EYE 051625

STUMP VISION MAY 16, 2025 | The Indian Eye 37

ROHIT SHARMA

Who is going to step into

the opening batter’s big shoes?

All eyes on young guns

The opening batter made his Test debut against the West Indies in November 2013 and went on to
represent India in 67 Tests. He amassed 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, with 12 centuries and 18 fifties

OUR BUREAU
Mumbai
ndian batter and skipper Rohit Sharma an-
nounced his retirement from Test cricket on
IWednesday after what turned out to be a
67-match journey with several highs and lows worth
documenting and getting inspired by. With his re-
tirement, the ‘Hitman’ has left a massive void at
the top and the question remains who will carry on
playing his role as an opener alongside Yashasvi
Jaiswal.
The Hitman had immense success as an open-
er, a journey which kickstarted with the introduc-
tion of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC)
as a proper competition in 2019. In 66 innings as
an opener, Rohit scored 2,697 runs at an average
of 42.81, with nine centuries and eight fifties and
the best score of 212. Starting his Test career re-
vival following years of inconsistency and being
dropped with 176 and 127 against South Africa at
Visakhapatnam, Rohit turned himself into an irre-
placeable beast at the top.
Rohit made his Test debut against the West
Indies in November 2013 and went on to repre-
sent India in 67 Tests. He amassed 4,301 runs at an
average of 40.57, with 12 centuries and 18 fifties.
His highest score of 212 came during a memorable
home series against South Africa in 2019. He fin-
ishes as India’s 16th-highest run-getter in the lon-
gest format. He kick-started his Test journey with
a memorable 177 against the West Indies at Eden
Gardens, Kolkata in 2013.
But such is the nature of sport and basically, all
things sport. All good things come to an end and
get replaced. Here are five players who could take
the role of Rohit as a Test opener:
Rohit Sharma (ANI)
SHUBMAN GILL

hubman has had decent success as an opener against a world-class bowling attack. Dealing with In 16 matches and 29 innings as an opener, Gill has
and in fact made his Test debut as one, during early seam and swing movement could be a chal- made 874 runs at an average of 32.37, with two cen-
Sthe Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Aus- lenge for Gill, especially in overseas conditions. He turies and four fifties. His best score is 128, includ-
tralia away from home, scoring 259 runs in three is yet to hit a half-century in South Africa, England, ing centuries at home and in Bangladesh.
matches and six innings at an average of 51.80, with New Zealand and South Africa (SENA) countries
two fifties, fearlessly cutting, jabbing and pulling since his iconic 91 against Australia at The Gabba. Continued on next page... >>

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