With Rohit Sharma's retirement from Tests, India needs to identify a reliable replacement to open the innings along with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Some players have showcased their abilities through regular performances in domestic cricket as well as the Indian Premier League (IPL). Five possible contenders to fill the vacant spot of in the Indian Test team are covered in this article.

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Abhimanyu Easwaran has been a pillar in India's domestic circuit, always producing good performances. In the 2024 Duleep Trophy, he made 309 runs in five innings at a batting average of 77.25, including an unbeaten 157 against India C and a 116-run innings against India. His capability to hold innings together and form partnerships makes him a strong candidate for the opening position. Easwaran's temperament and nature have been shaped over decades of top-class cricket, wherein he has compiled over 7,000 runs at a clip of nearly 50. His maturity and reliability make him a suitable candidate to replace Rohit Sharma. 

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Shubman Gill has already made his presence felt in international cricket with his talent on show in all formats.In Test cricket, he has opened the batting 29 times, aggregating 874 runs at 32.37, with four fifties and two centuries. His ability to adapt and level head during tight situations came to the fore when running against Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy when he had played an unbeaten 101. Experience and proven credentials place Gill strongly in favorites to be converted into a regular Test opening man of the Indian team.

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Sai Sudharsan is the new star, and he made everybody in awe of his performance both in domestic cricket as well as in the IPL.In the 2025 IPL season, he topped the Orange Cap list with 504 runs in 10 matches, out of which one was 48 off 23 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad. His reliable show also spilled over onto the domestic circuit, with 211 runs scored during the Duleep Trophy at 35.16 runs per match, featuring a grit performance of 111 versus India A. Allround player Sudharsan's aptness to handle English conditions and the finesse associated with technique in batting lead to his selection to be one among India openers for Test cricket. 

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Devdutt Padikkal has been a steady performer in domestic cricket, especially the longer version.In the 2024-25 season of the Ranji Trophy, he went past 600 runs, including scoring a double hundred against Tamil Nadu. His elegant stroke play and his capacity to construct innings have been the decider for Karnataka. Padikkal's showings earned him a spot in the India A team, where he once again impressed with a century against New Zealand A. His left-handedness does provide some variety to the team, and his temperament also makes him a good candidate for the opening position. 

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Ruturaj Gaikwad has established himself as an opener in domestic cricket and the IPL. In the 2024 Duleep Trophy, he made 232 runs from three matches at an almost average of 39, including one century against India B. He has shown that he is capable of making long innings and playing all types of conditions in his campaign for Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy, where he has been one of the leading run-scoring batsmen in every season. Gaikwad's style and experience position him as a favorite to take the opening spot in India's Test side.

Rohit Sharma's Test retirement marks the end of an era and positions India for the break of a new era in the Test team. All the mentioned players have proven their mettle by delivering consistently in domestic cricket and the as well. Determining the ideal opener would be the motivating force behind ensuring that the team remains balanced and keeps performing in the longest form of the game.