The Indian cricket team’s upcoming tour of England is now shrouded in uncertainty following Rohit Sharma’s sudden retirement from Test cricket. With the series just around the corner, the burning question on everyone’s mind is: who will open the batting for India in place of Rohit? A recent media report suggests that Sai Sudharsan could be the man to replace him.
A Rising Star in Indian Cricket
The BCCI has been impressed by Sai Sudharsan’s performances, and he was already being considered as a backup opener alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal even before Rohit’s retirement. Now, with Rohit out of the picture, Sudharsan is the frontrunner to take his place. Although experienced players like KL Rahul are still in the mix, Sudharsan’s recent form makes a strong case for his inclusion.
The discussion around Sudharsan’s Test debut has been ongoing for some time. Last year, he was given a chance with the India A team and seized the opportunity by scoring a century against Australia A.
Sudharsan’s Stellar Form
Although Sai Sudharsan missed out on a significant part of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season, he still managed to score 304 runs at an impressive average of 76 across three matches, including a century and a half-century. His form has continued into IPL 2025, where he has racked up 509 runs in 11 matches, currently holding second place in the Orange Cap standings.
- Sai Sudharsan’s average in Ranji Trophy 2024-25: 76
- Runs scored by Sudharsan in IPL 2025: 509
- Matches played by Sudharsan in IPL 2025: 11
While there’s no guarantee that Sudharsan will get the nod, his recent performances certainly make him a strong contender to open the batting for India in the upcoming Test series against England.