New Delhi: For a long time, the Indian openers have been the one to watch out for. But a delightful problem, which fate kept away from captain MS Dhoni until the World Cup, has cropped up as the two spots are being keenly contested by three attacking batsman.
A team always banks on its openers to set up a good foundation for the middle order to consolidate on and the terrific trio of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir have proved their worth at the top of the order with a career record that speaks for itself. Continue reading below
It has very seldom happened that the three are available for selection together, either due to injuries or due to Sachin opting out to take the much-needed rest and preserve himself for the World Cup. But with both the Delhi openers declaring themselves fit and raring to go in the World Cup, a happy situation, but still a problem, has cropped up for MS Dhoni and Gary Kirsten, who are left to decide who will partner the master at the summit of the batting order.
Gambhir looked really iffy and circumspect with his footwork against Australia in the practice match. On the other hand, Sehwag had to control his swashbuckling-self due to wickets falling around him and thus could break free only partially. A punch of power together with the finesse of an artist, Sehwag made a well-compiled 52 to steer India to a respectable total.
But on the other side, over time, Gambhir has shown a degree of reliability at the top by playing long innings, combining acceleration and consolidation. So the Delhi southpaw proves a better option as he will be the calming factor in the middle when Sachin goes berserk.
On the contrary, Sehwag, though the ultimate partner for Sachin, is better than Gambhir when it comes to scoring runs whenever asked for and hence can be asked to bat lower down.
Over the years, we have seen Sachin float through the order but no spot has been as fruitful for the Mumbai Marauder in ODIs than the one at the top. So he is almost certain to open. But who partners the little master depends on how the Indian think-tank thinks between its ears.
