Replacing legends like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja is an impossible task. These players have etched their names in the annals of cricket history with their outstanding performances and unparalleled records. Rohit Sharma, with 159 matches, the most runs in T20Is at his retirement, an average of 32.05, a strike rate of 140.89, and five international hundreds, led his team to the T20 World Cup crown in his last outing. Virat Kohli, with 4,188 runs in 125 appearances, an average of 48.69, and a strike rate of 137.04, was the Player of the Match in the World Cup final. Ravindra Jadeja, an all-rounder with 515 runs, 54 wickets, and an economy of 7.13, often changed the course of a match with his spectacular fielding.
No team in the world, not even India, has the resources to find adequate replacements for these glittering stars. These players are irreplaceable, just as Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Anil Kumble were before them. However, life went on then, and it will go on now, with or without Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja.
Instead of searching for replacements, India should focus on identifying and investing in players who can bring their own magic to the slots occupied by these legends. India opened with Rohit and Kohli at the World Cup to maximize the then skipper’s propensity to dominate the Powerplay and the former captain’s spectacular form in the IPL. Despite not always firing in tandem, their contributions were significant.
In their absence, the new management team, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir, identified Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal as the best suited for the opener’s role. Gill, the new white-ball vice-captain, and Jaiswal, a mercurial left-hander, both bring their own strengths to the team. Gill, 24, has played 19 T20Is, while Jaiswal, 22, has 20 appearances; both are T20I centurions. Gill’s aesthetically appealing right-hand batting and six-hitting prowess, combined with Jaiswal’s risk-taking and boundary-clearing abilities, make them a fantastic opening pair.
In Zimbabwe, they put on 156 runs, leading their side to a ten-wicket victory, showcasing their potential as a dynamic duo. “We really enjoy batting with each other,” Gill said. Jaiswal echoed similar sentiments, highlighting their great understanding and communication.
Finding a replacement for Jadeja is more challenging due to his exceptional fielding. Axar Patel, who played alongside Jadeja at the World Cup, and Washington Sundar, a 24-year-old all-rounder, are potential options. Sundar, originally a top-order left-handed batter, has found his calling as an off-spinner who can contribute handy runs lower down the order. He was the Player of the Series in Zimbabwe for his eight wickets in five matches and aims to build on this performance.
While Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja are irreplaceable, India has promising options to fill the void. With talents like Gill, Jaiswal, and Sundar, the future of Indian cricket remains bright, and the new management team has a solid foundation to build upon.
