There has been a lot of confusion regarding Shubman Gill’s replacement. Earlier, it was reported that Abhimanyu Easwaran will replace the Indian opener. Subsequently, it was reported the team management wanted Prithvi Shaw and Devdutt Padikkal to travel to England to replace Shubman Gill.

The limited over series between India and Sri Lanka will get completed on 25th July and thus both of these players could have been available for the second Test match against England. However, it is not going to be the case now as Shaw and Padikkal will not travel to Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, India already has players like Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, Hanuma Vihari, who all can open the innings in the Test series against England. Rohit is going to be India’s first-choice opener whereas Mayank Agarwal is going to be the second choice opening batsman on the tour of England.

Furthermore, Abhimanyu Easwaran is also with the squad as a standby player and he could be added to the main squad if the need arises.

The BCCI sources had earlier questioned that Easwaran hasn’t played any competitive cricket as there has been no action in the domestic circuit (Ranji Trophy) whereas both Shaw and Padikkal were in fine form while playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

“When Prithvi Shaw was not considered in the pool of 24 players who travelled, why should it be any different now,” a BCCI source told The Times of India.

“As for Devdutt Padikkal, well, he’s a great talent but doesn’t deserve to be pushed to the wall like this. His time will come,” the source added.

The first Test match between India and Sri Lanka will be played at Trent Bridge, Nottingham from August 4.