With series victories against the Aussies and the Kiwis, India seems to be riding high on confidence at the moment and all these are healthy signs, keeping in mind the ICC 2019 World Cup. The countdown has truly begun. While the playing XI looks settled at the moment, the main question is regarding the reserve opener in the squad.

KL Rahul would have had that position to himself if he was a bit more consistent on trying conditions. The recent off-field controversies haven&#8217;t helped his cause either and his chances of making it to the World Cup squad look bleak at the moment. Now what this does is that it opens the door for the likes of Gill and Shaw which is quite fascinating as they can prove to be the surprise element of the 2019 ICC CWC.

At Crictracker, we have prepared a list of 5 probable players who could occupy the position of the reserve opener in the squad which will make the trip to England. Let&#8217;s have a look at it.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-295813" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/KL-Rahul-1.jpg" alt="KL Rahul" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-295813" class="wp-caption-text">KL Rahul. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)</figcaption>

The start of 2018 was a rather disastrous one for the 26-year-old and since then, his form and performances have been heading down-south on a consistent basis. KL showed a tremendous amount of potential and promise when he started off his international career and so far, he hasn&#8217;t been able to live up to it. An average of 35.22 and a strike rate of close to 81 does no justice to the talent the right-handed batsman from Karnataka possesses and he will be eager to turn around his recent history in England.

His recent off-field controversies haven&#8217;t helped his cause either but more importantly, it earned him a much-needed break and one cannot simply count the youngster out of the game. His string of low scores hasn&#8217;t helped India overseas but KL has what it takes to succeed on the grandest stage of all and Rahul has a special liking for the IPL, and should he find some form, he will be on the flight to England.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-313009" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Shubman-Gill-1.jpg" alt="Shubman Gill" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-313009" class="wp-caption-text">Shubman Gill. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

If the 2018 ICC U19 World Cup turned around Gill&#8217;s career, 2019 might just be the breakthrough year for him. Shubman was called as the replacement for Kohli who will be leaving the New Zealand series midway owing to heavy workload over the last few months. In his IPL and U19 stint, Shubman proved that he is a dependable opener and an adaptive number four player which makes him an asset to possess.

With Rayudu striking form at the right time, the chances of playing the teen prodigy at number four look bleak and with KL Rahul&#8217;s form having taken a massive dip, keeping Gill in the squad as a reserve opener might be the best move if India is looking for a short-term solution. It will not be surprising if Shubman makes it to the 15-man squad which will make the trip to England post-IPL 12.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-313796" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Prithvi-Shaw.jpg" alt="Prithvi Shaw" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-313796" class="wp-caption-text">Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)</figcaption>

India has got a good reserve when it comes to the batting department and Mayank only makes it better. A few years ago when fitness was the only obstacle between him and his national cap, he rectified it. Questions were raised about his technique and he rectified his technique.

Mayank proved all his doubters wrong he made his debut against a tough Australian bowling attack last year in trying conditions. Mayank amassed as many as 193 runs in 3 innings and gave the starts to his team that they weren&#8217;t getting, in his first two Tests. Agarwal is a proven limited-overs performer and his performances in the domestic circuit point towards the same.

Mayank has succeeded against a tough bowling attack and in the form that he is in, at the moment, it might be an easy task for him to succeed in English conditions which are tailor-made for batsmen like Mayank and Virat these days. Moreover, Mayank can prove to be the surprise package of the season.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-312369" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Ajinkya-Rahane.jpg" alt="Ajinkya Rahane" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-312369" class="wp-caption-text">Ajinkya Rahane. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

In the recently concluded Australian Tour, Rahane showed glimpses of his old form and with IPL around the corner, Rahane would be eager to make his performances count. In simple words, his balanced approach makes him the ideal candidate for the number four position but owing to his inconsistency in ODI cricket, he isn&#8217;t really a long-term option. An average of 35 and a strike rate of 78 might not help his cause but his calmness and composure can really help the team at the time of collapse.

In the past two years, one could see Rahane lacking the much-needed confidence to succeed at a consistent rate and with his recent performances, he will be pleased to return to his old form. The 30-year-old has had a successful IPL stint with the Rajasthan Royals and with IPL being of the parameters for player-form evaluation, Rahane has the potential to succeed and perhaps, make it to the World Cup squad.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-298982" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Prithvi-Shaw.jpg" alt="Prithvi Shaw" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-298982" class="wp-caption-text">Prithvi Shaw. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)</figcaption>

MoM in his first match and MoS in his first series speaks volumes about the gift that Shaw possesses. In many ways, Shaw reminds one of Sehwag who used to be terrific and terrifying in his days, being consistent at the same time. Prithvi smashed a century in his debut innings against the Windies and it almost looked like as if he has been in the International circuit for a few years now.

Shaw impressed one and all last year in his IPL stint with the Delhi Capitals. His ability to score consistently and that too, at a healthy strike rate is a quality that an opener must possess when it comes to limited overs Cricket. Including Shaw can prove to be a smart move as just like Mayank and Gill, Shaw can prove to be the surprise package of the tournament.

<p>With series victories against the Aussies and the Kiwis, India seems to be riding high on confidence at the moment and all these are healthy signs, keeping in mind the ICC 2019 World Cup. The countdown has truly begun. While the playing XI looks settled at the moment, the main question is regarding the reserve opener in the squad.</p>
<p>KL Rahul would have had that position to himself if he was a bit more consistent on trying conditions. The recent off-field controversies haven’t helped his cause either and his chances of making it to the World Cup squad look bleak at the moment. Now what this does is that it opens the door for the likes of Gill and Shaw which is quite fascinating as they can prove to be the surprise element of the 2019 ICC CWC.</p>
<p>At Crictracker, we have prepared a list of 5 probable players who could occupy the position of the reserve opener in the squad which will make the trip to England. Let’s have a look at it.</p>
<h3>5. KL Rahul</h3>
<figure id="attachment_295813" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-295813" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-295813" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/KL-Rahul-1.jpg" alt="KL Rahul" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-295813" class="wp-caption-text">KL Rahul. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The start of 2018 was a rather disastrous one for the 26-year-old and since then, his form and performances have been heading down-south on a consistent basis. KL showed a tremendous amount of potential and promise when he started off his international career and so far, he hasn’t been able to live up to it. An average of 35.22 and a strike rate of close to 81 does no justice to the talent the right-handed batsman from Karnataka possesses and he will be eager to turn around his recent history in England.</p>
<p>His recent off-field controversies haven’t helped his cause either but more importantly, it earned him a much-needed break and one cannot simply count the youngster out of the game. His string of low scores hasn’t helped India overseas but KL has what it takes to succeed on the grandest stage of all and Rahul has a special liking for the IPL, and should he find some form, he will be on the flight to England.</p>
<h3>4. Shubman Gill</h3>
<figure id="attachment_313009" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-313009" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-313009" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Shubman-Gill-1.jpg" alt="Shubman Gill" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-313009" class="wp-caption-text">Shubman Gill. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
<p>If the 2018 ICC U19 World Cup turned around Gill’s career, 2019 might just be the breakthrough year for him. Shubman was called as the replacement for Kohli who will be leaving the New Zealand series midway owing to heavy workload over the last few months. In his IPL and U19 stint, Shubman proved that he is a dependable opener and an adaptive number four player which makes him an asset to possess.</p>
<p>With Rayudu striking form at the right time, the chances of playing the teen prodigy at number four look bleak and with KL Rahul’s form having taken a massive dip, keeping Gill in the squad as a reserve opener might be the best move if India is looking for a short-term solution. It will not be surprising if Shubman makes it to the 15-man squad which will make the trip to England post-IPL 12.</p>
<h3>3. Mayank Agarwal</h3>
<figure id="attachment_313796" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-313796" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-313796" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Prithvi-Shaw.jpg" alt="Prithvi Shaw" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-313796" class="wp-caption-text">Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>India has got a good reserve when it comes to the batting department and Mayank only makes it better. A few years ago when fitness was the only obstacle between him and his national cap, he rectified it. Questions were raised about his technique and he rectified his technique.</p>
<p>Mayank proved all his doubters wrong he made his debut against a tough Australian bowling attack last year in trying conditions. Mayank amassed as many as 193 runs in 3 innings and gave the starts to his team that they weren’t getting, in his first two Tests. Agarwal is a proven limited-overs performer and his performances in the domestic circuit point towards the same.</p>
<p>Mayank has succeeded against a tough bowling attack and in the form that he is in, at the moment, it might be an easy task for him to succeed in English conditions which are tailor-made for batsmen like Mayank and Virat these days. Moreover, Mayank can prove to be the surprise package of the season.</p>
<h3>2. Ajjnkya Rahane</h3>
<figure id="attachment_312369" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-312369" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-312369" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Ajinkya-Rahane.jpg" alt="Ajinkya Rahane" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-312369" class="wp-caption-text">Ajinkya Rahane. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
<p>In the recently concluded Australian Tour, Rahane showed glimpses of his old form and with IPL around the corner, Rahane would be eager to make his performances count. In simple words, his balanced approach makes him the ideal candidate for the number four position but owing to his inconsistency in ODI cricket, he isn’t really a long-term option. An average of 35 and a strike rate of 78 might not help his cause but his calmness and composure can really help the team at the time of collapse.</p>
<p>In the past two years, one could see Rahane lacking the much-needed confidence to succeed at a consistent rate and with his recent performances, he will be pleased to return to his old form. The 30-year-old has had a successful IPL stint with the Rajasthan Royals and with IPL being of the parameters for player-form evaluation, Rahane has the potential to succeed and perhaps, make it to the World Cup squad.</p>
<h3>1. Prithvi Shaw</h3>
<figure id="attachment_298982" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-298982" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-298982" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Prithvi-Shaw.jpg" alt="Prithvi Shaw" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-298982" class="wp-caption-text">Prithvi Shaw. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>MoM in his first match and MoS in his first series speaks volumes about the gift that Shaw possesses. In many ways, Shaw reminds one of Sehwag who used to be terrific and terrifying in his days, being consistent at the same time. Prithvi smashed a century in his debut innings against the Windies and it almost looked like as if he has been in the International circuit for a few years now.</p>
<p>Shaw impressed one and all last year in his IPL stint with the Delhi Capitals. His ability to score consistently and that too, at a healthy strike rate is a quality that an opener must possess when it comes to limited overs Cricket. Including Shaw can prove to be a smart move as just like Mayank and Gill, Shaw can prove to be the surprise package of the tournament.</p>

<p>With series victories against the Aussies and the Kiwis, India seems to be riding high on confidence at the moment and all these are healthy signs, keeping in mind the ICC 2019 World Cup. The countdown has truly begun. While the playing XI looks settled at the moment, the main question is regarding the reserve opener in the squad.</p>
<p>KL Rahul would have had that position to himself if he was a bit more consistent on trying conditions. The recent off-field controversies haven&#8217;t helped his cause either and his chances of making it to the World Cup squad look bleak at the moment. Now what this does is that it opens the door for the likes of Gill and Shaw which is quite fascinating as they can prove to be the surprise element of the 2019 ICC CWC.</p>
<p>At Crictracker, we have prepared a list of 5 probable players who could occupy the position of the reserve opener in the squad which will make the trip to England. Let&#8217;s have a look at it.</p>
<h3>5. KL Rahul</h3>
<figure id="attachment_295813" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-295813" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-295813" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/KL-Rahul-1.jpg" alt="KL Rahul" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-295813" class="wp-caption-text">KL Rahul. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The start of 2018 was a rather disastrous one for the 26-year-old and since then, his form and performances have been heading down-south on a consistent basis. KL showed a tremendous amount of potential and promise when he started off his international career and so far, he hasn&#8217;t been able to live up to it. An average of 35.22 and a strike rate of close to 81 does no justice to the talent the right-handed batsman from Karnataka possesses and he will be eager to turn around his recent history in England.</p>
<p>His recent off-field controversies haven&#8217;t helped his cause either but more importantly, it earned him a much-needed break and one cannot simply count the youngster out of the game. His string of low scores hasn&#8217;t helped India overseas but KL has what it takes to succeed on the grandest stage of all and Rahul has a special liking for the IPL, and should he find some form, he will be on the flight to England.</p>
<h3>4. Shubman Gill</h3>
<figure id="attachment_313009" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-313009" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-313009" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Shubman-Gill-1.jpg" alt="Shubman Gill" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-313009" class="wp-caption-text">Shubman Gill. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
<p>If the 2018 ICC U19 World Cup turned around Gill&#8217;s career, 2019 might just be the breakthrough year for him. Shubman was called as the replacement for Kohli who will be leaving the New Zealand series midway owing to heavy workload over the last few months. In his IPL and U19 stint, Shubman proved that he is a dependable opener and an adaptive number four player which makes him an asset to possess.</p>
<p>With Rayudu striking form at the right time, the chances of playing the teen prodigy at number four look bleak and with KL Rahul&#8217;s form having taken a massive dip, keeping Gill in the squad as a reserve opener might be the best move if India is looking for a short-term solution. It will not be surprising if Shubman makes it to the 15-man squad which will make the trip to England post-IPL 12.</p>
<h3>3. Mayank Agarwal</h3>
<figure id="attachment_313796" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-313796" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-313796" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Prithvi-Shaw.jpg" alt="Prithvi Shaw" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-313796" class="wp-caption-text">Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>India has got a good reserve when it comes to the batting department and Mayank only makes it better. A few years ago when fitness was the only obstacle between him and his national cap, he rectified it. Questions were raised about his technique and he rectified his technique.</p>
<p>Mayank proved all his doubters wrong he made his debut against a tough Australian bowling attack last year in trying conditions. Mayank amassed as many as 193 runs in 3 innings and gave the starts to his team that they weren&#8217;t getting, in his first two Tests. Agarwal is a proven limited-overs performer and his performances in the domestic circuit point towards the same.</p>
<p>Mayank has succeeded against a tough bowling attack and in the form that he is in, at the moment, it might be an easy task for him to succeed in English conditions which are tailor-made for batsmen like Mayank and Virat these days. Moreover, Mayank can prove to be the surprise package of the season.</p>
<h3>2. Ajjnkya Rahane</h3>
<figure id="attachment_312369" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-312369" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-312369" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Ajinkya-Rahane.jpg" alt="Ajinkya Rahane" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-312369" class="wp-caption-text">Ajinkya Rahane. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
<p>In the recently concluded Australian Tour, Rahane showed glimpses of his old form and with IPL around the corner, Rahane would be eager to make his performances count. In simple words, his balanced approach makes him the ideal candidate for the number four position but owing to his inconsistency in ODI cricket, he isn&#8217;t really a long-term option. An average of 35 and a strike rate of 78 might not help his cause but his calmness and composure can really help the team at the time of collapse.</p>
<p>In the past two years, one could see Rahane lacking the much-needed confidence to succeed at a consistent rate and with his recent performances, he will be pleased to return to his old form. The 30-year-old has had a successful IPL stint with the Rajasthan Royals and with IPL being of the parameters for player-form evaluation, Rahane has the potential to succeed and perhaps, make it to the World Cup squad.</p>
<h3>1. Prithvi Shaw</h3>
<figure id="attachment_298982" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-298982" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-298982" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Prithvi-Shaw.jpg" alt="Prithvi Shaw" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-298982" class="wp-caption-text">Prithvi Shaw. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>MoM in his first match and MoS in his first series speaks volumes about the gift that Shaw possesses. In many ways, Shaw reminds one of Sehwag who used to be terrific and terrifying in his days, being consistent at the same time. Prithvi smashed a century in his debut innings against the Windies and it almost looked like as if he has been in the International circuit for a few years now.</p>
<p>Shaw impressed one and all last year in his IPL stint with the Delhi Capitals. His ability to score consistently and that too, at a healthy strike rate is a quality that an opener must possess when it comes to limited overs Cricket. Including Shaw can prove to be a smart move as just like Mayank and Gill, Shaw can prove to be the surprise package of the tournament.</p>

At Crictracker, we have prepared a list of 5 probable players who could occupy the position of the reserve opener in the squad which will make the trip to England. Let's have a look at it.

5 Reserve openers for Team India in the 2019 ICC World Cup

With series victories against the Aussies and the Kiwis, India seems to be riding high on confidence at the moment and all these are healthy signs