Karthik-Jaffer, an opening pair that promises to provide stability

[King]

Their understanding was the biggest gain for India More...

[Anakin]

I have a feeling they won't have a good series in England.

[Predator_05]

What understanding ? The cricinfo article alleges that they didn't look like a decent pairing at all.

http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/bdeshvind/content/current/story/295834.html It is difficult to argue against 175 for 0 but one can always play devil's advocate. Just as two failures did not make them an unwanted combination, two successes do not necessarily make them the best option yet. Their styles don't really complement each other. Jaffer is a slow starter, not only in terms of runs, but also body movement. He has shown a tendency to premeditate the leave and he is also an ordinary runner between the wickets. Karthik is nippier, more restless, and needs to keep taking singles and doubles to keep his score moving. He is an excellent runner and has quick body movement. The lack of smooth communication between the two was evident today. Many a three became two, many run-outs were barely avoided. Between overs, Karthik was usually seen bent over, spent by the running which didn't always translate into runs; Jaffer, on the other hand, stood upright, preserving energy, knowing an easy boundary could be around the corner. There was a period just before lunch when Karthik was struggling against Mashrafe Mortaza, especially the incoming delivery, and took a painful blow too, just under the thigh pad. But he was allowed to play 19 Mortaza deliveries straight, without scoring a run, without having a conversation to just concentrate on the single and let Jaffer face Mortaza.

[Ram]

I know this might sound strange... But i really wish Sehwag is back in form and karthik can make a real good opening pair with him ( i know , i know... Wishfull thinking !! :D). India's test team is the most dangerous when sehwag is at his best.. If that happens , i dont see any reason why Dhoni should be in test squad. He had limited impact in test cricket so far. We can always include an extra bowler if the keepr can open

[King Tendulkar]

I have a feeling they won't have a good series in England.

Unfortunately I agree. May as well just open with Dravid I reckon

[Holysmoke]

I would actually prefer this opening partnership more than getting sehwag back. These two are doing well, and its about time we give them a fair chance. Sehwag needs a serious kick on his back side, and dropping him from only the test team, in a single tour of bangladesh,is not enough.

[CC1981]

Sehwag needs a kick up his arse and maybe he should play domestic cricket atleast until the Australia series. Till then Jaffer-Karthik can continue and Jaffer-Karthik should be given that long for atleast one to get the chop. But it is important not to write off Sehwag permanently.

[Miraz]

I personally don't think Dinesh Karthik has got the right technique to be a Test opener. Against a better opposition he will struggle, at least they will not spill catches like Bangladeshi players did.

[yoda]

I personally don't think Dinesh Karthik has got the right technique to be a Test opener. Against a better opposition he will struggle, at least they will not spill catches like Bangladeshi players did.

Jaffer the specialist opener got a pair in the first test and gave an easy catch when on 47. Sehwag the opener has no/poor technique as well. It is all a question of how many runs you score. Yes, he gave a catch early in the 2nd test, but was fine the first test, opening. No one is born an opener. Most of these newbies have little FC experience (since we like throwing them into test cricket ASAP), so they will all have to learn their roles while playing for the national team.

[dial_100]

I wouldn't bank on DK. He will struggle very soon. Trouble is that the other guy Jaffer also will struggle for another year or so if not persisted. But with DK, even if he is persisted, he will not stable down as an opener. Yaar why do we think opening is "Chai ka cup", hold it in the hand and "pi jao". He doesnt have what it takes to defend first 25 overs. Harmison, Bond, Lee. So many good bowlers out there. I think we should look more. And as for Dhoni, he will fair better than DK as we progress.