KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran are set to compete for the opening role in India A’s Test against Australia A amid uncertainties surrounding Rohit Sharma’s availability.
The upcoming second unofficial Test match between India A and Australia A, which is set to commence in Melbourne on Thursday, presents an intriguing opportunity for KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran. With uncertainties surrounding the participation of regular captain Rohit Sharma in the forthcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, both players are in a prime position to compete for the opening slot alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal for the first Test in Perth, scheduled to start on November 22.
Reports suggest that KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel, who traveled to Australia ahead of the main Test squad to gain valuable match practice, will both feature prominently in the Melbourne four-day encounter. Kangaroo-related strategies seem to focus on Rahul partnering with Easwaran at the top of the batting order. Consequently, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who opened in the first unofficial Test in Mackay, is anticipated to shift to the middle order. Jurel is expected to take over wicketkeeping duties from Ishan Kishan.
Rohit Sharma’s potential absence from the early segment of India’s Australia tour remains a significant variable. The captain expressed some uncertainty regarding his availability following the team’s 3-0 home series defeat to New Zealand, indicating that he was unsure if he would make the trip to Perth. Should Rohit be unable to participate, the Indian team management will face a crucial decision regarding their opening combination.
Easwaran’s selection as the designated third opener in the Test squad for the Australia tour is noteworthy, given his remarkable recent form. Prior to his selection, he scored centuries in each of his last four first-class matches, amassing a total of 27 centuries in 100 first-class games, with an impressive average of 49.40. This record not only highlights his consistency but also positions him as a formidable competitor for the opener’s role in the competitive Test landscape.
KL Rahul’s case is equally compelling, given his extensive experience with the new ball in overseas conditions. Although he has positioned himself as a middle-order specialist since the 2023-24 South Africa tour, wherein he gathered 339 runs at an average of 37.66 over ten innings, his opening capabilities should not be disregarded. Notably, Rahul is among only two Asian openers to have notched Test centuries in England, South Africa, and Australia—demonstrating his ability to adapt and excel in challenging environments.
Any potential return to the opening role will evoke memories of the 2021 England tour, during which Rahul initially aimed for the middle order but stepped up as an opener following injuries to his teammates. His performance during that tour, particularly a memorable century at Lord’s, has added to his credentials as a key player in high-pressure situations.
As the start of the 2024-25 home season draws nearer, Rahul’s career has experienced multiple shifts, culminating in him being the preferred No. 6 for India. However, his exclusion from the first XI following the first Test against New Zealand raised questions about his position in the team hierarchy. Sarfaraz Khan, who notably performed well in his opportunity with a second-innings 150 after replacing the injured Shubman Gill, has since moved ahead of Rahul in the pecking order. Unfortunately, Rahul’s returns during the home season reflected inconsistency, with scores of 16, 22*, 68, 0, and 12 in five innings.
Sarfaraz Khan’s inclusion is also not guaranteed, particularly as he lacks experience playing Test cricket outside India. His underwhelming performance of failing to surpass 19 in four innings against New Zealand poses questions regarding claims to a spot in the playing XI. Given the anticipated pace and bounce of the Perth conditions, India has several options to consider when finalizing the batting order, especially if Rohit Sharma remains unavailable. They could either opt for Sarfaraz at No. 6 or field KL Rahul in that position, thereby facilitating Easwaran’s emergence as an opener.
The selectors may even contemplate a unique approach by picking both Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant, utilizing one of them as a specialist batter. Jurel, who made his Test debut in the home series against England, impressed with both his batting and wicketkeeping skills. He recorded 190 runs across four innings, achieving an average of 63.33. His performance, particularly his innings of 90 and an unbeaten 39 during a gripping fourth Test in Ranchi, earned him the Player of the Match accolade.
While Pant recovers from knee injuries sustained in a car accident in December 2022, Jurel has solidified his position as India’s wicketkeeping reserve and is recognized as an exciting prospect for the future.
In summary, the selectors’ attention will be focused not only on Rahul’s and Easwaran’s performances against the new ball but also on Jurel’s contributions with both bat and gloves in the second unofficial Test in Melbourne. This testing ground could ultimately shape the team’s direction as they prepare for the upcoming test series against Australia. With an eye on the cricketing landscape, the selection committee has a crucial path ahead, carefully weighing their options to establish a competitive edge.
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