Could it be costly for Team India to play Tests in AUS without a specialist opener? Find out what fans think

The first match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia will be played on November 22. Team India’s young batsman Shubman Gill and regular captain Rohit Sharma will not be able to play in the first match. Gill is injured and Rohit is yet to go to Australia after the birth of his second child. Due to the absence of these two, a big crisis has arisen against Team India. India do not have a specialist opener to open for the first Test match.

Abhimanyu Iswaran is the contender for the opening

Team India has KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Iswaran to open the first Test match against Australia. Iswaran may have scored mountains of runs in domestic cricket, but he is yet to make his debut for Team India and his debut against the Australian fast bowler may be less beneficial for Team India. The 29-year-old has scored 7674 runs in 101 first-class matches, including 27 centuries. Apart from this, he has 3847 runs in 88 List-A matches.

Rahul was injured in the elbow

On the other hand, KL Rahul last opened for Team India in a Test in the year 2023. Rahul injured his elbow in the Instra squad. Right now he doesn’t seem to be in his old rhythm, which he is known for. So far he has scored 2981 runs in 53 Test matches for Team India, including 8 centuries and 15 fifties. There is a possibility that Iswaran may get a chance to open and Rahul may come in at number one.

India TV conducted this poll

Could it be costly for Team India to play a Test in Australia without a specialist opener? India TV conducted a poll on this, in which 9597 fans cast their votes. 68.82% people believe that Team India can suffer if they play without a specialist opener. While 23.99% people believe that this will not happen. 7.17% of fans didn’t think it was appropriate to say anything on this.