How can Team India fill gaping void left by Rohit Sharma at the top of batting order in Test cricket?

Indian batter and skipper Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket on Wednesday after what turned out to be a 67-match journey with several highs and lows worth documenting and getting inspired by.

- AGENCIES

With his retirement, the 'Hitman' has left a massive void at the top and the question remains who will carry on playing his role as an opener alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal.

The Hitman had immense success as an opener, a journey which kickstarted with the introduction of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) as a proper competition in 2019. In 66 innings as an opener, Rohit scored 2,697 runs at an average of 42.81, with nine centuries and eight fifties and the best score of 212. Starting his Test career revival following years of inconsistency and being dropped with 176 and 127 against South Africa at Visakhapatnam, Rohit turned himself into an irreplaceable beast at the top. Rohit made his Test debut against the West Indies in November 2013 and went on to represent India in 67 Tests. He amassed 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, with 12 centuries and 18 fifties. His highest score of 212 came during a memorable home series against South Africa in 2019. He finishes as India's 16th-highest run-getter in the longest format. He kick-started his Test journey with a memorable 177 against the West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata in 2013. But such is the nature of sport and basically, all things sport. All good things come to an end and get replaced. Here are five players who could take the role of Rohit as a Test opener:

Shubman Gill