Rohit Sharma's international career in the 50-over format could end when England host India for the third ODI on Sunday, July 19, with reports indicating
the BCCI's selection panel has resolved to move beyond him after this series concludes. The committee is believed to favour providing an extended audition to Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has been in a holding pattern awaiting a sustained opportunity. This decision signals the board's intentions to build an opening partnership suited to India's plans heading into the 2027 ODI World Cup. As India navigates this transition ahead of the quadrennial tournament, three southpaw openers have positioned themselves as viable candidates to take on the role Sharma will vacate.
The shift carries implications that extend far beyond the selection room. Shubman Gill assumed the ODI captaincy in the past year, underlining that preparation for a fresh era is already underway. With domestic competitions unearthing emerging talent and international opportunities remaining limited, each of these three batsmen brings a distinctive profile and set of challenges in proving their mettle in the 50-over arena.
Here are three openers who can replace Rohit Sharma in ODI:
3. Sai Sudharsan
Sai Sudharsan earned his maiden ODI opportunity towards the end of 2023 after striking three centuries across consecutive domestic List A innings, opening the innings against South Africa where he recorded scores of an unbeaten 55, 62 and 10. The Tamil Nadu batter represents the modern template for opening excellence in Indian cricket. His IPL 2025 performance saw him edge out competitors to win the Orange Cap, amassing 759 runs across 15 matches at an average of 54.21 with a strike rate of 156.17. His batting repertoire combines aggression with technical solidity, drawing praise from the selector's office.
However, the openings Sudharsan has been offered in international cricket remain scarce. His three ODI appearances since debut have spanned the entire second half of 2023, providing minimal runway to establish himself in the format. The gap between franchise success and the demands of 50-over international cricket is formidable. His involvement in T20I cricket around July 2024 suggests selectors have maintained interest across formats, yet translating that monitoring into a secured opening berth demands sustained performance and strategic patience.
2. Ishan Kishan
Prior to his 210-run explosion in December during India's Bangladesh tour, Ishan Kishan had already made waves in October 2022 when he scored 93 against South Africa, setting a platform for larger performances. His double century from 131 balls, attaining the 200-run milestone in 126 deliveries, shattered Chris Gayle's previous record of 138 balls. The southpaw from Jharkhand brings a rare combination at 28 years of age: proven aggression as an opener paired with the additional value of keeping wickets. In 30 ODI matches to date, Kishan has accumulated 1,092 runs at an average of 46.
His recent re-entry into the international arena marks a pivotal moment. Featuring in his first ODI series since the 2023 World Cup, Kishan struck 125 off 79 balls against Afghanistan last month, lacing 14 fours and seven sixes. His capacity to provide explosive batting at the top of the order and his dual role behind the stumps make him a valuable all-rounder in the opener's role. Domestic performances, particularly his captaincy of Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title, have revitalised his candidacy. Yet questions persist about whether he can maintain consistency in 50-over cricket, given the intermittent nature of his national selection across the past three seasons.
1. Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal possesses a singular identity distinct from contemporaries in his peer group. In his first six ODI assignments, the Mumbai batter has scored 285 runs at a remarkable average of 71.25. What makes his trajectory particularly noteworthy is his maiden 50-over century of 116 not out off 121 deliveries in the final match of the South Africa tour, where he was adjudged Player of the Match and guided India to a 2-1 series triumph. His left-hander's approach blends calculated tempo-building with sudden acceleration, crafted through explosive yet technically grounded batting.
Jaiswal's limited ODI exposure reflects the timing of his entry into international cricket rather than any shortcoming in skill or temperament. His Test record speaks unambiguously, 2,511 runs across 28 matches at an average of 49.23, including seven centuries, demonstrates his mental fortitude and technical durability against quality pace and spin bowling. The selection committee's demonstrated willingness to construct strategies around him in red-ball cricket suggests comparable investment in the 50-over space remains plausible. His IPL pedigree with consistent seasons at Rajasthan Royals, combined with his maiden 50-over ton secured recently, positions him as a long-term building block in India's opening combination.
