Ruturaj Gaikwad or Abhimanyu Eeswaran? Who holds the ace as potential 3rd opener for Border Gavaskar Trophy

India’s five-match series against Australia begins on 22nd November 2024. With the squad yet to be announced, there is speculation about who the third opener could be. Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal are set to be the frontline openers for the visiting side ahead of the 1st Test in Perth. 

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhimanyu Eeswaran are thought to be the two names in the running for the 3rd opener’s slot. There is no doubt that India have a settled opening combination in the Sharma and Jaiswal duo. Yet there is a huge need to have some experience as a backup during the tour down under. 

Both Gaikwad and Eeswaran have been prolific run scorers in the domestic format. The two players were part of the Rest of India squad that played Mumbai in the Irani Cup game. Ruturaj Gaikwad was named the captain for the Rest of India but went on to lose the trophy. 

What do the numbers suggest?

Abhimanyu Eeswaran has been close to Team India selection for a few years now. Bengal’s skipper was part of the Indian side that toured South Africa late last year. the right-handed batter played 14 innings during the 2023/24 season and scored 963 runs. 

The 29-year-old in fact scored 191 runs for the Rest of India during the Irani Cup game recently. His knock also showed that he had the ability to play attacking cricket and keep the scoreboard ticking. 

Ruturaj Gaikwad on the other had played 9 innings in the domestic circuit and scored 341 runs. His average of 42 pales in comparison to the 76 that was accumulated by Eeswaran during the last season. 

Ever since his first-class debut in 2016, Gaikwad has gone on to play 33 games. The right-handed batter has scored 2282 runs with 6 centuries and 12 fifties with an average of 42. One of the things that could go against his favour is the fact that Gaikwad hasn’t been part of many A tours for India and lacks foreign exposure. 

Abhimanyu Eeswaran on the other hand is far more experienced having played 98 first-class games with an average close to 50. Bengal star has also hit 26 centuries and 29 fifties which denotes his amazing conversion rate when in full flow. At this stage, it does look like Abhimanyu Eeswaran is the most favoured for the 3rd opener slot. A lot depends on the next few weeks with the new Ranji Season about to begin.