India always has produced some of very good opening batsman over the year. Sunil Gavaskar, K Srikanth, Navjot Singh Sidhu, S Tendulkar, S Ganguly, V Sehwag, G Gambhir are some example.However, it has become one of biggest concern in recent times in all 3 formats of the game.
Let’s have a Look at some of ODI opening batsman in India
1. S Tendulkar : Undoubtedly, legendary batsman. Unfortunately, he is in wrong side of age. He is an automatic pick till the time he wants to play. His appetite for runs is unquestionable.
2. V Sehwag : An explosive opening batsman. On his day, he can destroy any attack across the world. Whenever, he is in fine form, it looks like he enjoys a lot facing balls. Though, he is not so in good form, but I feel its matter of just one big innings, he will be back in form. As I mentioned above, in fine form he enjoys batting, hitting the balls, playing hide & seek with his bat and ball.
These days, maybe he is adding too much pressure on himself. Probably team management is not encouraging him much. He is getting dropped without any reason. According to me, he should be played in every matches. He will definitely deliver.
3. G Gambhir : A very fine opening batsman, has all shots in his book. He can occupy crease for long time as well as can make quick runs. He has made runs on difficult tracks in past.I am not very very sure whether Tendulkar & Sehwag will be available till 2015 WC. In that case, Gambhir will have to take the leadership of Indian batting.
He will play at crucial batting position(No 1) and will be India’s most experienced batsman by that time, so it will be his responsibility to give India a good start. And, I believe he is quite capable of it.However, his form in last 1-2 year is a serious issueHe has not made runs, but he has been very very inconsistent. The management has to think about him and try to solve the issues with his batting.
4. Ajinkya Rahane & Sikhar Dhawan : These two are currently perhaps best opening batsman in domestic cricket. They are making runs and strongly knocking the door.However, it’s hard to accommodate these two in national team, as long as Tendulkar, Sehwag & Gambhir are playing together. Selectors must make it sure that the guys keep becoming better batsman, so that they take less time to adjust themselves according to International challenges, whenever they get a call in National team.
This can be done by regularly selecting them in India A or other domestic competition.If everything goes well, at least one of them(maybe both)will be a good weapon for India till 2015. So, proper attention should be given to them to enhance their skills.
5. Murli Vijay, Abhinav Mukund : These two are another talented players, who need to be groomed. Both have played for India in past. Murli Vijay has played in lot of matches for India in past. I am sure, he is aware of the challenges of International cricket. I guess, he must have worked hard on his limitations(the reasons why he failed in International cricket) and tried to make himself a better batsman. He needs encouragement. He needs to be exposed on unfamiliar tracks. Same case with Abhinav Mukund.
6. Unmukt Chand : Another young, opening batsman who has done well in recent times. He needs to be groomed properly.
