Team India is now on the road to prepare for the 13th edition of the grand event. This time, expectations are right at the top because the men in blue are the host. Last time, in 2011, India won the Global Championship.

Before going to the World Cup 2023, India’s 15-member squad is almost confirmed, but there are still some places where the team needs to find the answer. Finding the backup opener is the first thing team management needs to do, and here are some genuine choices for the slot.

Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan—the name itself tells you about the man who has great numbers of ICC tournaments. The 37-year-old was the top run-getter in the ICC World Cup 2015 and Champions Trophy 2013 and 2017 for India. If you talk about the best Indian batters in ICC tournaments, his name comes to mind.

So far in his two appearances in the grand event, he has scored 527 in just 10 innings at an average of 52.7. The chances are very low for him to be added to the squad, but if he gets a chance, he could be the right choice for the backup opening batsman.

KL Rahul

He could have been the automatic choice for the third opener for the upcoming World Cup in 2023, but his injuries changed the scenario. His versatility to play at the top as well as at number 5 makes him an obvious choice in the squad. The last time he played in the World Cup, he replaced Shikhar Dhawan when he got injured against Australia.

He has been regrowing from his Injury with NCA and is expected to make a comeback in the Asia Cup in 2023. If the 31-year-old makes a comeback, he could pair Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma as the third opening batsman.

Ishan Kishan

The young wicketkeeper-batsman is the front-runner in the race. He has been performing exceptionally as an opener, while opening the batting he scored a sublime double ton and in the recent series against West Indies he bagged three consecutive half-centuries.

If Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul remain unfit till the grand event the left-hander could play in the middle for the team but the current situation is clearly saying he is going to be the 3rd opener for India going into World Cup 2023.

As of now, Ishan Kishan is more likely to be the first choice for the vacant space