Test Opener(s) in the worst case scenario (Ind in Aus 2020)

[zen]

Let's hope that Gill/Shaw do well but in the worst case scenario, assuming that Gill/Shaw would get out inside first 10 overs in the opportunities that they could get (chances of them getting a full series in Aus could be less if they do not do well in the first couple of tests), who should open w/ presumably Agarwal (unless he struggles too) for Ind?

 

Poll options include:

• Give KL another chance 
• Open w/ Pujara, who is virtually opening anyways
• Open w/ Rahane, who calls himself an opener too 
• Rohit could be back so get him in (not sure about his status) 
• Other, please list

 

PS the last two tests would be at Sydney and Brisbane 

Edited December 6, 2020 by zen

[maniac]

SDP, he can do anything, sab karke aa sakta hai. I am Sold 

[Sooda]

I think I would like KL and Mayank being first choice duo, all being well. Experience, good relationship, all depends on if Rahul scores in the next warm up match.

[maniac]

Shaw needs to be backed for all games unless he is.injured. In Aus you need a guy like Shaw to give a quick start even in tests and get all those upper cuts etc going when there is a super attacking field in the first few overs. However my fear with Shaw is the fielding given our test fielding is pathetic , Even athleticism can be overlooked but he is also a poor catcher these days, I was actually really impressed with his slip fielding in the u-19 Wc but he has regressed in all areas of fitness and fielding.

[Ankit_sharma03]

Ill keep KL in middle as he hasnt played red ball cricket in long and has been playing white ball cricket which develops habbit of playing to many shots

[T20]

M Agarwal 

KL

C Pujara

V Kohli

A Rahane

Pandya

Jaddu

R Ashwin

U Yadav

M Shami

J Bumrah

[AuxiliA]

Go with Rahul. This isn't the time to blood youngsters. We must field the strongest team. Shaw has been woefully out of form and Gill is totally untested. At least Rahul has been in great form in white ball cricket and has the experience as a test opener. 

Edited December 7, 2020 by AuxiliA

[Lone Wolf]

I'd keep Rahul at 6 or as a Wk initially.  Shaw needs to be backed.  He has backfoot strokes like cut & backfoot punch.  Needs to leave a few at the start & then launch an all out attack.  Even a quick 40-50 will be more than handy. 

[R!TTER]

4 hours ago, maniac said:

Shaw needs to be backed for all games unless he is.injured.

Shaw's a hack, he needs to tighten up his game. Anyone comparing him to SRT ever, should really be ashamed of themselves! Cummins & Hazelwood will clean him up each session & twice in D/N tests, unless of course Starc does it first 

[Gollum]

KL has done nothing in red ball cricket to deserve a comeback, especially as opener. If we run out of options cos of injuries maybe as #6.

 

Back Shaw the opener in all 4 tests, doesn't matter if he fails miserably. Sink or swim, if he fires good, else a learning curve for him and he will come back stronger in the future. I would also want Gill to play all 4 tests, but difficult to see him in first XI of D/N test. 

[OpeningBatsman]

10 hours ago, Cricspin said:

Definitely KL Rahul. 

 

Someone gave the Idea of actually playing him as wicket keeper. That would solve some issues.

He can't open amd then keep wickets too. Just not feasible 

[ShoonyaSifar]

 

1 hour ago, Gollum said:

KL has done nothing in red ball cricket to deserve a comeback, especially as opener. If we run out of options cos of injuries maybe as #6.

 

Back Shaw the opener in all 4 tests, doesn't matter if he fails miserably. Sink or swim, if he fires good, else a learning curve for him and he will come back stronger in the future. I would also want Gill to play all 4 tests, but difficult to see him in first XI of D/N test. 

You are expecting such sensible decisions from this TM? Our only hope is for Rahane to be assertive in the last 3 tests. Hopefully Kohli will not try to lead the team from India

[Majestic]

14 hours ago, Sooda said:

I think I would like KL and Mayank being first choice duo, all being well. Experience, good relationship, all depends on if Rahul scores in the next warm up match.

Yeah, good relationship. If one gets out, other will say, " Tu chal, mai aaya" 

[prudent_kreeda]

1 hour ago, Majestic said:

Yeah, good relationship. If one gets out, other will say, " Tu chal, mai aaya" 

Nice one !

[zen]

Opening might turn out to be a headache 

[zen]

Since Rahane, a suspect v spin, is going to captain in the remaining games, I have gone with him as the opener (though unlikely to happen as he lines up to open in LOIs and bat in MO in tests)

[ShoonyaSifar]

The team has got 6 openers right now in Australia - Mayank, Shaw, Rahul, Gill, Vihari (has opened), Rohit for the last two tests. plus Dhawan who is at his sasural in the Ozzie land and can join the Test team at a short notice.

Edited December 17, 2020 by ShoonyaSifar

[Prabhdeep Singh]

They will probably play the same batting line up next match, KL Rahul for V Kohli only change.

 

But watching India bat today was truly depressing, mediocre against spin. Too many dot balls.

 

From 3rd Test play all the openers. Time should be up for Pujara, Rahane and Vihari. They play so many balls yet only make sub par scores, inning goes nowhere.

 

M Agarwal

P Shaw

S Gill

R Sharma

KL Rahul

R Pant

R Jadeja

R Ashwin

U Yadav

M Shami

J Bumrah

 

 

 

[zen]

After two test matches, opening is not yet settled .... Shaw is out, Agarwal does not appear too confident .... but conditions have been difficult for the top order in general for both teams 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 29, 2020 by zen

[Tyron]

Gill

Pujara

Rohit

Rahane

Hanuman vihari

Pant

Jaddu

Ashwin

Saini

Siraj

Bumrah

 

 

That's our best bet now.