Prospective openers for test matches

[Sooda]

Very disappointed to see our reserve openers in the Emerging Players' Squad. A Srikkanth and Shikhar Dhawan for the matches of three days durations?

Totally. It was with this tourno in mind that I started this thread, it was always going to be interesting to see who got into this squad, what with Mukund and Vijay now test bats. I have to admit, never heard of Kanwar but he seems to have a decent FC record and even made NZ duleep team...Harshad Khadiwale maybe another potential option..?

[hotncool008]

Unmukt Chand, 18 year old delhi opener comes with quite high recommendations. In his first season he has scored 400 runs at 57 in 8 innings. He was slinged by Malinga in his first IPL game, but we will surely see a lot of him in future. He might also lead India in next U19 WC. He and Sarul Kanwar from Punjab are the guys to keep an eye on for next season or two. Both have started their first class career quite well.

[Chandan]

Unmukt Chand, 18 year old delhi opener comes with quite high recommendations. In his first season he has scored 400 runs at 57 in 8 innings. He was slinged by Malinga in his first IPL game, but we will surely see a lot of him in future. He might also lead India in next U19 WC. He and Sarul Kanwar from Punjab are the guys to keep an eye on for next season or two. Both have started their first class career quite well.

Thanks for the reminder. Yes I do remember Unmukt Chand and will keep a close watch on him this Ranji Ranji season. Will also watch Punjab opener Kanwar closely, who I admit of not hearing/remebering before.

[saneindian]

One out of Rahane, Pujara or Kohli may have to soon become a first class opener for them to get a permanent spot in the test squad. Even when the big 3 are gone, for the 4 middle order spots, we will have too many claimants- Rahane, Pujara, Kohli, Raina, Rohit and Yuvraj. With Sehwag having openly said that as age catches up, he would like to move to the middle order, it makes that fight for middle order spot even more tougher but lso opens up an opener's spot in the squad. Out of the three, Rahane was an opener previously and should go back to opening in first class cricket rather than fighting for a middle order spot. Kohli could be another one who could look at opening. Has opened in ODIs and domestic one dayers, done well, plays at no 3 in ODIs so is fairly comfortable against the new ball. Does have a technical flaw of a prominent bottom hand , but expect him to work on that and come back as a better player in the longer format.

[jeeves]

I still beleive' date=' keeping age aside, Wasim Jaffer is still one of the best test openers in India. He might not have performed in Australia, but I can assure you, he is still one of our top batsmans when it comes to test cricket. His elegance, his control still continues for Mumbai when he plays. I want to see more of him in International cricket.[/quote'] agree,he should have been persisted with

[Cricket Tragic]

Unmukt Chand' date= 18 year old delhi opener comes with quite high recommendations. In his first season he has scored 400 runs at 57 in 8 innings. He was slinged by Malinga in his first IPL game, but we will surely see a lot of him in future. He might also lead India in next U19 WC. He and Sarul Kanwar from Punjab are the guys to keep an eye on for next season or two. Both have started their first class career quite well.

I've heard about this chap. Chopra and a few others have said that the guy is really good.

[virufan]

Mukund should improve on his front foot batting. He is young and will learn as he plays more international matches. Let us forget Dropthiv the keeper, we can take him as a specialist reserve opener.

[Chandan]

Mukund should improve on his front foot batting. He is young and will learn as he plays more international matches. Let us forget Dropthiv the keeper, we can take him as a specialist reserve opener.

What are his achievements as opener? Why should we take him as reserve opener?

[Cricket Tragic]

What are his achievements as opener? Why should we take him as reserve opener?

I don't think that he can ever be a long-term option. On a good day, he'll get you 40-50 runs.

[Midfielder]

It makes no sense in giving Vijay a chance tomorrow.

[BeautifulGame]

The likes of Parthiv and Karthick are not going to get 100's.Maybe useful 40 or 50 but not centuries needed from openers. We should stick with the likes of Mukund and Rahane for top order.Also doesnt Kohli play at no.3 for Delhi? Maybe Rahane can open with Kohli at No.3 in future when Dravid Sachin Laxman retires and if Sehwag drops down the order.

[Sooda]

What are his achievements as opener? Why should we take him as reserve opener?

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64083.html :P

[Chandan]

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64083.html :P

Perhaps you will know that this is 2011, ie is 7 years after the match you have quoted? And on the basis of that one 69, 7 years back, you are willing to offer him your reserve opener's place, or do you consider this as an achievement enough to make him our reserve opener? Sooda, in that case MV is not bad either. He has a ton again Australians, that too in 2010. Please!!!

[YingYangTwins]

Ambati Rayudu could be used as an option even though he is more of a #3 - #4 batsman. When he came out of U-19 squad people touted him as the next Dravid. They could try Rohit as opener and see if he can play bounce or if he is a flat track bully.

[Sooda]

Perhaps you will know that this is 2011, ie is 7 years after the match you have quoted? And on the basis of that one 69, 7 years back, you are willing to offer him your reserve opener's place, or do you consider this as an achievement enough to make him our reserve opener? Sooda, in that case MV is not bad either. He has a ton again Australians, that too in 2010. Please!!!

No, Im not. I posted that in jest rather than anything else. :D I dont consider him a reserve opener at all

[Cricket Tragic]

So what is the pecking order right now?

[YingYangTwins]

Here are my top 4 reserve openers 1) Mukund (set himself up for ENG tour now with his good 50 in 3rd WI TEST) 2) Manish Pandey 3) Robin Uthappa 4) Ajinkya Rahane Players who should think of adding opening to their game to get into squad: Dinesh Karthik (He has already opened couple of times but he is an all out middle order batsman) Ambati Rayudu Rohit Sharma Irfan Pathan (if shane watson can do it, he should atleast think about it. Very slight chance of this happening though but keep in mind that he has a test century.) Aakash Chopra and Wasim Jaffer should be selected out of desperation only; they are 33 and wont be seen as an option due to their age anyways. If its for 1 odd series then yeah sure i wouldnt mind thinking about it. What do you guys think?

[Cricket Tragic]

Uthappa? :hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical: Pandey is rubbish as well.

[Sooda]

He is not even an opener. Sehwag, Gambhir, Mukund, Rahane, Karthik, Vijay, Jaffer, Chopra, Dhawan and err.. Anirduha Srikkanth

[YingYangTwins]

Uthappa? :hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical: Pandey is rubbish as well.

vaise tho all of them are rubbish but they are the only ones who did well in Ranji last year. I was going to add Badrinath to the list but that would create an uproar with some posters here. LOL! Our opening talent in domestic is a bit weak imo.