3 Possible Replacements For Shikhar Dhawan In The Upcoming Test Series Against West Indies  

#3 Rohit Sharma

Considering Rohit Sharma for the opening position in Test cricket will surely generate a debate among the cricketing fraternity. The general consensus is that Sharma usually struggles against the moving ball in the initial stages, so he is not capable of playing Test cricket. But which batsmen from India is an expert in playing swing bowling?

Even the modern day great Virat Kohli had a forgettable tour of England in 2014 which he resurrected in the recently concluded series. The remaining players like Pujara, Dhawan, Rahul, Rahane have also had their share of struggles against the moving ball. Speaking of his troubles against swing, Sharma has proven himself as a consistent ODI opener by scoring runs all over the world.

He has decent ODI record in England and Australia and has improved his temperament and skills over the years and was in good Test form last year when he scored a century after four long years, which resulted in his selection for the South Africa Test series. He played the first two Tests and was then dropped.

Rohit Sharma's case in Test cricket is similar to that of Shikhar Dhawan as he was never been given a consistent run in the side, getting dropped frequently. He is a proven match-winner in limited overs cricket and has played several marathon innings (including 171* at Perth) which prove that he has the temperament and skills to excel in the longer format even in foreign conditions. He even has a triple hundred to his name in First-Class cricket. Rohit himself recently said that he is willing to open in Tests if provided an opportunity.

So if not at number 6, selectors should give him a consistent run in the XI as an opener for one last time before passing a verdict on his Test career. It could either prove to be dawn of a new era or the culmination of an unfulfilled career in Test cricket.