Five players who can try to replace Sachin Tendulkar in Tests

Sachin Tendulkar will be playing his last couple of Test matches soon, bringing down the curtains on a wonderful career that spanned twenty-four years. And while some of his records may withstand the test of time, the question that will haunt selectors, players and fans alike is this.

Who will step into the great man’s shoes in the longest format?

First and foremost, the Mumbai stalwart cannot be replaced. Period. He may have slow reflexes on the field, and may not be enjoying the game as much as he used to, but it is difficult to imagine a Test team without him.

However, the journey of the national squad must go on, and the five wise men must have a succession plan in place, keeping the future in mind.

Here are five players who can try to replace the Master Blaster – I use the word ‘try’ because they may never be able to replicate the kind of benchmarks that Sachin has set.

Ajinkya Rahane

The Rajasthan Royals’ opening batsman is technically gifted, but he will need to curb his attacking instincts if he wishes to make a mark in white flannels.

Rahane’s strengths lie in his ability to pierce the gaps with surgical precision, and he can play the big shots as well. But Test cricket requires oodles of patience, grit and old-school style of play, and the 25-year old has got the right occasion to establish himself in this version – Tendulkar’s exit from the game.

Sense and sensibility – Rahane will have to incorporate these two themes into his batting, and with consistency, he can overtake his fellow contenders in the race to step into the huge void caused by the exit of the Little Master.