KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran fail again ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy

Indian captain Rohit Sharma is set to miss the opening Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at Perth Stadium, which begins on November 22. His absence has led to a search for a suitable opening partner, with both Abhimanyu Easwaran and KL Rahul given chances in the unofficial Test series against Australia A. Unfortunately, neither opener has been able to make an impact. Easwaran, who was called up to the India Test squad following a remarkable run of form in domestic cricket, having scored four consecutive centuries, was expected to seize the opportunity. However, his performances so far have been disappointing. In the first unofficial Test, Easwaran could only manage scores of 7 and 12, failing to build any significant innings.

Border Gavaskar Trophy: Opening conundrum continues for Indian cricket team

In the second match, his struggles continued as he was dismissed for a duck by Australia A's ace pacer Michael Neser. Easwaran's failure to capitalize on his selection has left the Indian management searching for an answer at the top of the order. While KL Rahul's recent form has also been under scrutiny, Easwaran's inability to score runs in two consecutive innings raises further concerns for India. With the India vs Australia fast approaching, the pressure is mounting on both Easwaran and Rahul to find their rhythm and secure the opening spot for India.

KL Rahul, meanwhile, has not opened in red-ball cricket since 2023, having been primarily used in the middle order in recent months. He has performed reasonably well in that role, but his form has been inconsistent. Rahul’s last appearance in a Test came during the series against New Zealand, where he was dropped after a lackluster performance in the second Test in Pune. He also remained on the sidelines during the Mumbai Test.

Despite his experience, Rahul's struggles continued during the unofficial Test against Australia A, where he was dismissed for just four runs. In that innings, Scott Boland trapped him early, sending India to a precarious 9/3. His inability to make a meaningful contribution at the top of the order has only added to the uncertainty surrounding India's opening combination ahead of the first Test against Australia. With Rohit Sharma's absence atleast for the India vs Australia 1st Test match in Perth, the pressure is mounting on Rahul to rediscover his form and deliver when it matters most. However, his recent struggles and prolonged absence from the opening spot have raised doubts about his suitability for the role.

The underwhelming performances of both KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran have raised concerns for the Indian team management, especially with the upcoming IND vs AUS Test series looming large. India’s recent 3-0 loss to New Zealand at home was a significant blow, further complicating their path to the World Test Championship (WTC) final. With no room for error, the team simply cannot afford to drop any points in Australia if they hope to secure a spot in the WTC final.

The search for a reliable opening partner to Rohit Sharma has become more urgent. Rahul and Easwaran, despite their potential, have struggled in the absence of consistent runs, and the team’s top order is facing serious uncertainty. Easwaran’s lack of impact in the unofficial Tests, combined with Rahul’s poor form since his last outing as an opener, means India is left in a difficult position. With the Australia vs India first Test in Perth fast approaching, the pressure is on the selectors and the players to step up and deliver under immense pressure. India’s performance in Australia will be pivotal, and finding the right combination for the opening slot could be crucial in their quest for success on Australian soil.

In case India captain Rohit Sharma confirms his unavailability for the upcoming AUS vs IND Test matches, it would be a significant setback for the Indian team. His leadership and experience at the top of the order are crucial, and his absence leaves a glaring hole. Moreover, the players being considered as replacements have had their own struggles in Australia. Both KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran have failed to make a substantial impact in the unofficial Tests, adding to the concerns surrounding India's opening slot.

In the recent practice match against Australia A, India's batting unit as a whole faltered, with only Dhruv Jurel standing out with a stellar knock of 80 runs. His impressive innings was the highlight of India’s first innings, where they managed to post just 161 runs. While Jurel’s performance was commendable, the rest of the team’s struggles with the bat raise serious questions. As India gears up for one of their most challenging series, the absence of Rohit, coupled with the inconsistent performances of potential replacements, leaves the team in a precarious situation. The batting unit will need to regroup quickly and find a way to deliver, with the pressure mounting on the remaining players to step up in what promises to be a tough series in Australia.