Whiteman’s leadership qualities, solid technique, and resilience—reinventing himself as an opener after a finger injury ended his wicketkeeping career—make him the ideal candidate to step up.
Australia needs stability at the top. Usman Khawaja will turn 38 in December of this year, and it's possible that another selection decision is imminent. The choice of Whiteman to partner Khawaja against India could lay the groundwork for a potential opening partnership between Whiteman and Konstas. For now, I believe it's Sam Whiteman's time.
Totally agree Paul, have been proposing this for at least the last three years and questioning why Whitey never seems to come into the conversation at national selection time. I call him the 'quiet achiever'.