Active Indian batters with low Test averages: Indian top-order batsmen haven’t had the best of times in Test cricket recently. The batters barring Rohit Sharma have struggled largely to counter different conditions. It isn’t a surprise that the numbers have dipped significantly. India’s bowling all-rounders have bailed the team out on more occasions than one. The top order needs to find ways to score runs if the team has to excel across testing conditions.
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We look at active Indian batters with low Test averages:
[qualification criteria – specialist batsmen | minimum 10 Tests]
#6 Mayank Agarwal – 41.33
He broke into the Indian team on the back of a strong showing in domestic cricket. Mayank Agarwal had a fine run with the Indian team during 2018-20. He scored 4 centuries and 6 fifties in 21 Tests batting across 36 innings. Agarwal last played a Test for India in the series against South Africa in 2022. He currently averages a decent 41.33 but he is currently far behind in the queue of batsmen waiting to open the innings.
#5 Shikhar Dhawan – 40.61
He holds the record for scoring the fastest ton on a Test debut. Shikhar Dhawan is one of the more underrated Indian batsmen across formats. He is someone who could break open the game in a single session. India didn’t persist with Dhawan for long stretches when he faced a form dip.
For all his vagaries in overseas conditions, Dhawan is one of the three active Indian batters to score a Test ton in New Zealand. He averages 40.61 in 34 Tests comprising 5 centuries and 7 half-centuries.
#4 Ajinkya Rahane – 38.52
He was one of the three pillars of the Indian middle order. Ajinkya Rahane was India’s number-one Test batter in the first overseas cycle of 2013-14. He scored a 97 in Durban and notched up centuries in New Zealand, England, and Australia. Rahane’s hundred in MCG in 2014 and 2020 remain two of the most glorious Boxing Day centuries.
But his returns since the Test ton in MCG, 2020 has seen a major fall. He is currently out of favour in the Indian Test team. Rahane averages 38.52 after 82 Tests scoring 12 hundred and 25 fifties.
#3 KL Rahul – 34.07
He scored a century in just his second Test against Australia in Sydney in 2015. KL Rahul was earmarked for greatness right then. He has scored centuries in every country he has played in. Rahul was on an imposing run in 2016-17 when he notched up record scores of fifty-plus in 10+ Tests.
But mediocre returns in 2018 cost him a spot in the national team. Rahul earned an accidental Test call up in the Test series against England. He scored a century in Lords and then in Centurion. However, Rahul has had a lean run with many experts calling for his axe. He averages a mere 34.07 after having played 46 Tests.
#2 Hanuma Vihari – 33.56
He is one of the most valiant batters in the country. Hanuma Vihari put his career at stake batting out a draw at Sydney in 2021. He though hasn’t played a single Test for the country since. Vihari continues to tirelessly feature in the domestic circuit. He has played 16 Tests so far scoring 839 runs at an average of 33.56. Vihari occupies the second spot on this unwanted list.
#1 Shubman Gill – 32.00
He is in the form of his life scoring centuries and double centuries across the different white-ball formats. Shubman Gill scored his maiden Test century in Bangladesh showcasing his tremendous potential. He still averages a meagre 32 in the format. There is vociferous support for his inclusion in the playing XI. Gill needs to make the opening spot his own if he is included in the XI again.
