In this quiz, you have to name every men’s Test opener India have tried since Sunil Gavaskar played his last Test match.
When Gavaskar made his Test debut, Polly Umrigar held the Indian records for most Test runs (3,631) and hundreds (12). Gavaskar extended that to 10,122 and 34 – world records by considerable margins at that point. Such gaps are difficult to fill, especially if it is at the top of the order.
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When Gavaskar retired, the selectors tried to fill the slot with his former opening partners in 1987/88. The lack of quality options forced them to use all-rounders and wicketkeepers in the 1990s – until a swashbuckling middle-order batter from Delhi was promoted to the top in the early 2000s. Over time, India have had several options, but only one of them has scored 5,000 runs as Test opener.
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Until July 9, 2025, India have used 42 opening batters in men’s Test cricket since Gavaskar played his last Test match. Can you name all of them in 10 minutes?
Quiz! Every India men’s Test opener since Sunil Gavaskar’s retirement
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