Openers

He made his debut at the age of 21 for India against Bangladesh at Dhaka. He did not start off on a high note, but has worked really hard since then. He remains one of the persistent contenders for that opening post. Gautham Gambhir has played some useful knocks for India since then but just has not made his mark permanent. His not doing so is for many reasons. But, unfortunately has one prominent technical flaw. He tends to come too far across the stumps and expose leg stump and although hstatistics don’t say so, he tends to get out bowled often around the legs due to this. Also, he moves his front leg right in front of the stumps very often and is therefore prone to LBWs.

In his career, he is a few stages juniour to Gautham Gambhir. Aiyudda Robin Uthappa, from Karnataka and more specifically from the Karnataka Institute of Cricket, one thing one should credit him for is his hard work. As a teenager playing age group cricket, Robin used to bat in one match, go on to another match and bat there and a few more matches like that in a day and has even scored a few hundred runs in one day without being dismissed! Well, all that has paid off, but there is still that technical nag. He commits himself to the front foot therefore reducing his options and comforts. Even then, he dispatches bowlers with seemingly limitless forearm strength. Hitting Caribbean medium pacers with the new ball over midwicket for six of the front foot is no joke.

Now these two men are fighting hard for that opening spot and Gambhir seems to be ahead at this moment. Robin is restless at the crease but gets his runs fast. Therefore, he gets to 50ish very fast but then the restlessness gets to him and he gets out playing an unnecessary and pretty stupid shot. He plays with a phenomenal amount of comfort although he is committed on the front foot. If he starts steadying himself and curtails his adrenaline and energy after providing the team with a good start, there is no reason the selectors can give if they drop him.

Virender Sehwag is completely out of sorts and out of form of late but has been bowling well. Nobody really is able to ascertain the cause of this sudden dip in performance. Bottom line – he’s not in the squad.

Sachin has been in and out of the team. (WOW! How often does ANYONE have the opportunity to say that?!!) He wants to open. He has only opened against Ireland, the day before this article was written and did not do so well. We will just have to wait and see.

Ganguly is on a roll, he’s shut his critics up. He performed against Ireland and seems to be going through some good form. But, in the world cup game against Bermuda, he seemed to be playing for himself, some scrutiny will be done.

Too many options, none completely certain and lots to do for the selectors.-BS

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