IND vs ENG Edgbaston TEST: India vs England Live Updates – In what comes as a major setback for the Indian team, it has been revealed that skipper Rohit Sharma will not be able to feature in the upcoming Test against England, which will be played at the Edgbaston in Birmingham from July 1. While Jasprit Bumrah will lead the team in his absence, India’s main headache will not be finding a replacement for Rohit Sharma the captain, but for Rohit Sharma the opening batter. Follow IND vs ENG Edgbaston Test live updates, India vs England Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Team India captain Rohit Sharma tested positive for COVID-19 last week. He missed the final day of the warm-up fixture against Leicestershire. Though there was some hope that he will recover in time, it has now been revealed that the skipper has returned a second COVID-19 positive test.
IND vs ENG Edgbaston TEST: Rohit Sharma OUT, who opens for INDIA? Check out of Mayank, Hanuma Vihari, KS Bharat, Pujara who will open for INDIA in 5th TEST? Follow INDIA vs ENGLAND LIVE Updates
Let us check out India’s other opening options.
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The Main Candidates – Cheteshwar Pujara & Hanuma Vihari
Speaking to the media before the news of Rohit Sharma came out, Ajit Agarkar had hinted that either Cheteshwar Pujara or Hanuma Vihari will be asked to open the innings alongside Shubman Gill.
“If not Rohit, the experience might help in Pujara and Vihari. Pujara has been around for a long time and Vihari has already opened for India a couple of times. One of those two would be my pick if Mayank does not look ready,” Ajit Agarkar said.
Notably, these two players are leading the race simply because of their experience. Pujara is just 5 Test matches short of playing 100 Tests for his nation, while he also did really well for Sussex in his recent county cricket stint. Besides him, Hanuma Vihari has also done well in his Test career, scoring 808 runs in 15 matches at an average of 35+.
IND vs ENG Edgbaston TEST: Rohit Sharma OUT, who opens for INDIA? Check out of Mayank, Hanuma Vihari, KS Bharat, Pujara who will open for INDIA in 5th TEST? Follow INDIA vs ENGLAND LIVE Updates
2. The Alternatives – Mayank Agarwal & KS Bharat
Though Pujara and Vihari are the main options, it must be taken into consideration that they are not India’s lone options for the opening slot, as Rahul Dravid could also have a look at either Mayank Agarwal or KS Bharat.
Mayank was recently drafted into the squad, but on being asked about him, Ajit Agarkar did not sound as if the 31-year-old will be trusted with a playing XI role for the Edgbaston Test. “The team management will probably have a look at how well prepared is Mayank Agarwal is once he joins the team. I do not know if he has enough time to prepare for the one off Test,” he said.
KS Bharat, on the other hand, has been in good form. He scored 70* and 43 in the practice match against Leicestershire. However, Bharat has never played Test cricket, or for that matter, any cricket for the national team. Hence, it is very unlikely that Dravid will take such a big gamble by trusting an inexperienced campaigner.
IND vs ENG Edgbaston TEST: Rohit Sharma OUT, who opens for INDIA? Check out of Mayank, Hanuma Vihari, KS Bharat, Pujara who will open for INDIA in 5th TEST? Follow INDIA vs ENGLAND LIVE Updates
England vs India Test series schedule
5th Test: Edgbaston | July 1-5
England vs India 2022, T20I series schedule
1st T201: Ageas Bowl | July 7
2nd T20I: Edgbaston | July 9
3rd T20I: Trent Bridge | July 10
England vs India 2022, ODI series schedule
1st ODI: Kia Oval | July 12
2nd ODI: Lord’s | July 14
3rd ODI: Manchester | July 17
IND vs ENG Edgbaston TEST: Rohit Sharma OUT, who opens for INDIA? Check out of Mayank, Hanuma Vihari, KS Bharat, Pujara who will open for INDIA in 5th TEST? Follow INDIA vs ENGLAND LIVE Updates
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