3 Players who can be a long-term replacement of Murali Vijay in Test Cricket

India has been struggling in the Test series against England. The batsmen have performed awfully in the series. Other than skipper Virat Kohli, no Indian batsman has performed consistently. Moreover, the openers have been the biggest let down of the series. They have failed to provide a solid start on regular basis.

Indian Test opener, Murali Vijay lost his place after his dismal performances with the bat. He played the first two Test matches and was benched in the third match. Subsequently, the Indian selectors dropped him from the Test squad.

To harbor any chances of making a comeback, he needs to score plenty of runs in the domestic cricket. Since the 34-year old opener is in the twilight of his career, it is highly unlikely that the selectors will consider him again for national duty. The selectors would like to invest in future prospects for the opening role in Test matches.

KL has been opening for Team India, but he is inconsistent. He has not played any big knock in the ongoing Test series. Since his overseas record has been mediocre, he cannot be considered a long-term replacement of Murali Vijay.

As a matter of fact, KL Rahul has not scored a half-century yet in the Test series against England. Here, let us discuss three players who can replace Murali Vijay in Test cricket:

#3 Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal

Mayank was arguably the best batsman in Indian domestic cricket last season. He played several excellent knocks for his teams. He is an attacking batsman who has an awe-inspiring temperament to be successful in the Test cricket. He can be an excellent long-term replacement of Murali Vijay in the Test cricket.

The 27-year old plays for Karnataka in the domestic cricket. Till now, he has played 43 first-class matches and has scored 3372 runs at an average of 50.32. Agarwal scored a brilliant triple hundred against Maharashtra last year and it was the 50th triple hundred in the Indian first-class cricket. Additionally, he was the leading run-scorer in the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy season with 1160 runs in the tournament.

He was also the highest run-getter in the Vijay Hazare Trophy this year. He finished with 723 runs in 8 games in the tournament. Thus, he certainly deserves a place in the Indian Test squad for his magnificent domestic run.

#2 Abhimanyu Easwaran

Abhimanyu Easwaran

Abhimanyu Easwaran is a promising young player who has done well in the domestic cricket. He was born in Dehradun, but he represents Bengal in the domestic circuit.

His consistent performance in the domestic cricket earned him a place in India A squad. Currently, India A is playing against Australia A, and Easwaran has scored an impressive 86 in the first innings of the match.

The 23-year old could be an ideal Test opener for Team India since he possesses a sound temperament to play big knocks. Easwaran has played 33 first-class matches and has scored 2318 runs at an average of 42. He has seven centuries and eleven half-centuries to his name.

#1 Prithvi Shaw

Prithvi Shaw

Prithvi Shaw is one of the best young players in India today. He got his maiden India call-up in the Test series against England but did not feature in starting eleven. Several people expected him to play the fifth Test match because the Indian openers have been substandard in the Test series.

As a matter of fact, Hanuma Vihari made his Test debut in the fifth Test match and scored an important half-century in the first innings.

Shaw could be a perfect long-term replacement for Murali Vijay in Test cricket. The 18-year old is still very young, and he could go on to play for a long period of time. He has a stupendous batting technique and might become an important addition to the Indian Test squad.

Shaw has an awe-inspiring stroke play and has a noteworthy footwork. Till now, he has amassed 1418 runs in 14 first-class matches at an average of 56. He has hit seven centuries and five half-centuries in the domestic cricket.