No, no. This thread is not about Pakistan. Many believe that Pakistan has solved the vexing problem of opening - at least 50%, so lets leave it at that.
This is about India.
I understand all about Chapell experimenting and all - interesting stuff, definitely - but whats their plan for openers? I mean, assuming, there is a plan. So they have Sehwag, and they have Wasim Jaffar (one heck of a fancy all-expenses paid trip), plus they had that Gautam Gambhir dude, and who do they have opening here… Laxman and Dravid. So who died and made Dravid an opener? And why the heck is Laxman opening these days? I am sorry, as I am not too familiar with biographies of Indian players, so its possible one of you smartalecks will come in and say “Laxman opened for 2 years playing for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy” or something equally spectecular.. but the question is… whats the plan for a long term opening pair.
Or may be the plan is to keep it like a moving target with Laxman opening one day, Dravid the next, Sehwag on day 3, Dhoni on day 4 and Pathan on day 5.
I don’t know about you guys, but this appears pretty - whats the word I am looking for - stupid. No, not really stupid… but without-a-plan.
So is the long-term plan seem to be Dravid and Sehwag?
I am sorry, but even Sehwag pooh-poo'd the idea after first test.
As for Sehwag, as much as I look at the guy with respect for rubbishing Pakistani bowlers, he has zero footwork and horrible technique. Whats his record like in, rest of the world?
I think this famous horses-for-courses mantra, originally adopted by Britain is taken way too far by the current Indian team selectors.
Oh sehwag was pretty effective in Australia and England too. So he is their firm first choice. No doubt about that. He is not a textbook sort of opener who would like to play in a V but he is good at what he does.
About Dravid I am not sure. He is there to accomodate Ganguly and if Ganguly plays like he did today (He actually looked a part and showed semblence of his sublime best) Dravid will keep opening.
I dont think Dravid and Sehwag is long term prospect. Dravid is opening it for short terms just to accommodate Ganguly. In long term either of Waseem and Gautam will take that place. Till Ganguly’s future is decided we may see Dravid opening.
About Laxman opening.. Saby coorectly said that Sehwag was out during last few minutes of Indian fielding so he cannot come to bat untill that many minutes have passed in game. So they had no choice but to sent someone in. Laxman was the right man as he has opened in test cricket few times. Blame it on pakistani tailenders for getting out so quickly. Sehwag went to pee and got stuck…
Also, Be ready to see Sehwag and Pathan opening in 2nd inning. Just to rub it on you Faisal bhai
Regarding Sehwag record overseas. He was very very successful in AUS,ENG ,SA and NZL. Infect much more succesful than many technique-gurus I wont take names.
About Sehwag not opening because he was out of the field ... on Cricinfo it said that eventhough Sehwag was out of the field and couldn't come as an opener, it was "planned" that Dravid and Laxman would open.
Bhai meri taraf se aap beshakk RP Singh or Zaheer Khan se opening karwa lein. Mein tau khush houN ke Indian team apni hi le rahi hai by not settling down with a pair of specialist test openers. Baaqi aap khud samajhdaar hein.
I wont take names.
good time to rub it in