Virat Kohli's plans were dealt a massive blow when Prithvi Shaw injured his left ankle while fielding in the practice game at Sydney. The opener has been ruled out of the first Test against the Aussies.
The 19-year-old was the only opening batsman in-form going into the Australia series and a lot was expected of him despite his novice-stature in international cricket. The injury, while it may be a pain for Shaw, provides a golden opportunity to be someone's gain.
Here are 4 players who can walk out to bat for India instead of Shaw at Adelaide in the first Test.
Murali Vijay
The easiest pick and the most obvious one will be Murali Vijay. The Tamil Nadu batsman was brought back into the Test setup for the Australia series considering his previous success here and the repeated failures of KL Rahul.
Thus it would make the most sense to give the batsman who was sent home midway from the England tour the nod to go out and prove himself once again as India's premier opening batsman in white clothes.
Rohit Sharma
This is a slightly left-field shout but could be a game-changing move if the Indian think tank does make the call. Sharma is not alien to opening as he has been India's opener in limited over's format for five years now.
Moreover, Sharma hasn't been successful batting at number 6 and it seems as though Hanuma Vihari is higher in the pecking order for that position whenever India decides to play six batsmen. So it might be worth a shot to send Sharma out to open the innings, especially given Rahul's lack of runs.
Shikhar Dhawan
One batsman who can slot straight into the team from nowhere is Dhawan. The man is very familiar with Australian conditions and has been in very good form, albeit in the limited overs format.
Dhawan was dropped from the Test team because of his inability to score runs on foreign soil but that might work in the southpaw's favour as he, if selected, will have nothing to lose thus making him play freely.
Also, in terms of the style of batting, Dhawan's comes closest to the injured Shaw in terms of free-flowing stroke making.
Mayank Agarwal
The Karnataka opener has been scoring big runs in the domestic circuit for two seasons now. His good work back home was noticed as he was called up for the Windies series but did not get a game as the management went in with Shaw and Rahul ahead of Agarwal.
Agarwal has been extremely unlucky as he was then dropped from the squad and Vijay was drafted in instead of him. So the man who did not get a game before being momentarily cast aside may be brought back into the fold and given Rahul's dwindling fortunes, might even walk out to open with Vijay in the first Test at Adelaide.
