ENG vs IND 2025: KL Rahul-Yashasvi Jaiswal fix opening puzzle — But who are India’s top reserve openers now?
When India set out for the 2025 Ashes-Test Tournament Trophy (ATT), there was a sense of unease among fans and experts alike: Was India’s opening problem finally behind them?
The last couple of years had seen plenty of chopping and changing, questions over consistency, and the challenge of filling the giant shoes of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma. But through the five-Test stretch in England, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal not only answered the questions, they gave India a robust new identity at the top.
A partnership to remember
KL Rahul, the seasoned campaigner, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young gun, combined for a total of 341 runs for the opening wicket across ATT 2025. Their chemistry shone brightest in the three 50-plus opening stands they built, peaking at a match-defining 94-run opening partnership at Old Trafford, Manchester.
It was all about the resolve they showed, especially in conditions historically menacing for visiting openers. On more than one occasion, they provided a shield against England’s new-ball attack, gifting India a foundation to build innings on.
Some of the defining moments from ATT 2025
The record-breaker at Headingley
The duo’s 91-run partnership at Headingley broke a 39-year-old Indian record at that venue, previously held by the legendary Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth. Facing relentless swing and seam under grey Leeds clouds, Rahul and Jaiswal blunted the English quicks for an entire session, only losing a wicket minutes before lunch.
Resilience in the rain at Manchester
The highlight, though, was perhaps the Manchester Test, where the pair survived tough, overcast conditions. England’s pace attack was licking their lips after India was put into bat. Yet, Rahul and Jaiswal calmly saw off the new ball, steadily building a 94-run partnership, the best for India that series. For the first time in years, India went through a whole first session unscathed after being asked to bat first in England.
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The series consistency
Their partnership was significant not just for the long stands, but for the manner in which they arrived, methodical, patient, with just the right dash of attacking flair. Across the series, the Rahul-Jaiswal stand produced three 50+ openings, a marked improvement over the frequent collapses that had plagued India earlier.
During ATT 2025, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal together added 341 runs as opening partners, with Jaiswal himself tallying 411 runs in the series, including two centuries and two fifties. Rahul was his usual watchful self, blunting the new ball, letting Jaiswal’s aggression flourish at the other end.
And there were individual milestones too. Rahul became the fifth Indian batter to reach 1,000 Test runs in England, a list that reads like a who’s who of batting legends. For Jaiswal, breaking into this groove on his first major away Ashes tour marked perhaps the beginning of a luminous career.
Winning advantage
Why is a solid opening so crucial, especially in the swinging, seaming cauldron of England? It removes early pressure, unsettles opposition strategies, and allows middle and lower order batters to play with freedom. The 2025 series demonstrated that with Rahul and Jaiswal at the top, India started every Test on the front foot, a psychological advantage felt as much in the dugout as in the stands.
Former opener Aakash Chopra noted after the Old Trafford Test that for the first time since Rohit Sharma’s retirement, India didn’t quite ‘miss Rohit,’ crediting the new pair for their resilience and composure. This is high praise for a duo in just their first major assignment together.
Read More: ENG vs IND 2025, 5th Test, Day 3: Jaiswal ton helps India set target of 374; England 50-1 at stumps
Who’s waiting in the wings?
But cricket is a game of uncertainties, and depth matters, especially in the demanding world of Test cricket. Luckily for India, there is no shortage of talented openers pushing for a spot:
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad has steadily built a reputation as a dependable and technically gifted batter in India’s domestic circuit. In 38 First-Class matches, he has amassed 2,632 runs at an average of 41.77, including 8 centuries and 13 fifties, with a highest score of 195.
While his flair in the IPL is well-known, Gaikwad’s red-ball credentials are equally impressive. His recent form shows a batter in control, measured, patient, and able to build long innings.
At 27, he is entering his prime and looks well-equipped for the challenges of Test cricket, especially in overseas conditions. His calm temperament and sound technique make him a strong contender as a backup option in India’s Test setup.
Abhimanyu Easwaran
Abhimanyu Easwaran stands tall in Indian domestic cricket with a mountain of runs under his belt. In 103 First-Class matches, he has scored a staggering 7,841 runs at an average of 48.70, with 27 centuries and 31 fifties. His highest score of 233 reflects his ability to play long, grinding knocks.
A pillar for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, Easwaran has consistently delivered big performances, often under pressure. His standout trait is his focus, often likened to a monk’s, which enables him to bat for long hours without losing concentration. For a format that demands resilience and temperament, Easwaran’s game is tailor-made for the Test arena, especially as a top-order anchor.
Both Gaikwad and Easwaran are young, but proven openers in first-class cricket, ready for whenever opportunity knocks. Their impressive domestic records highlight India’s current strength and depth at the top of the order.
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