Five players who can try to replace Sachin Tendulkar in Tests

Abhishek Nayar

The 30-year old Mumbai all-rounder has been the bulwark of the batting in the longer format of the domestic arena, and brings in a level-headed and mature approach to his game.

Nayar has been around long enough to understand the uncertainties that define cricket, and like Subramaniam Badrinath, he too has been a victim of the Great Indian Cricketing Circus. When he wields the willow, there is always a sense of calm in the dressing room – he can deftly switch from grafting to attacking to just presenting a dead bat, and he does it so skilfully you’re lost.

With the ball, the all-rounder has been found wanting in the past, but his medium-pace has proved to be handy on more than one occasion. He will have big shoes to fill if he wants to make the side for the longest format.