India's youngster Shubman Gill is doubtful for the England series after suffering an injury to his shin. Gill may have to sit out for around eight weeks to recover from the injury which means India will need to find a new opening partner for Rohit Sharma.

The Test series between India and England begins from August 4 at Trent Bridge and former India batsman Wasim Jaffer has named Mayank Agarwal as the correct replacement for Gill.

Apart from Mayank, India has the option of KL Rahul, and also Abhimanyu Easwaran from the stand-by players. But Jaffer is convinced the 30-year-old is suitable for the role, while India can fit Rahul into middle-order if needed.

ALSO READ: ENG v IND 2021: Shubman Gill’s shin stress fracture could take two months to heal- Report

"It will be a very big opportunity for Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul with Mayank being my first preference. He has had an excellent career so far. He was dropped after two poor outings in Australia but I am sure he will be looking forward to this opportunity. It is a very big series of five Test matches which can make or break a cricketer's career. I feel KL Rahul can also fit somewhere in the middle-order if not as an opener," Jaffer said on his YouTube video.

India had persisted with the opening pair of Rohit and Gill since the Australia tour. They opened for India at home in the four-match Test series against England and then in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final.

"It will be a big blow for India as well as Shubman Gill because as a youngster, you look forward to this kind of series to make a name for yourself. Considering that we judge a player by their overseas performance, it will be a setback for him to miss the first couple of games," he said. 

"It will be a very important series for India because we haven't won any series in England since 2007-08 though we have come close. Although Shubman Gill's injury will be a big blow, the players will look to step up and deliver."