India have had a strong middle-order comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman for almost a decade now.
The Sehwag-Gambhir pair has already proved their mettle in ODIs and T20. Now the duo has a chance to seal the opening slot in Tests, writes Taus Rizvi
India have had a strong middle-order comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman for almost a decade now. The only worry has been a settled opening pair for Tests.
Many combinations have been tried out over the last few years, but as yet, there’s not been a permanent one. Mumbai opener Wasim Jaffer looked promising in his third comeback, scoring two double centuries in two years, when his now-famous inconsistency returned to haunt him yet again.
So he’s now forced to hone his skills in the Kanga League, instead of leading his country at the top of the order in the Test series against Sri Lanka, beginning in
Colombo in a day’s time.
Jaffer’s loss was Delhi opener Gautam Gambhir’s gain, who had been scoring heavily at the domestic level, ODIs and Twenty20. Gambhir, along with Virender Sehwag, formed a devastating opening pair not only in ODI’s and Twenty20 but Tests too.
In fact, the duo has been India’s most successful opener pair in recent years with 1002 runs from 12 Tests.
Gambhir, who was dropped from the Test squad after the 2005 home series against Sri Lanka, has a point to prove and, one hopes, he won’t afford to let the opportunity slip from his hands.
As both play and open for the same team — Delhi — they share a great chemistry, as was seen during the Indian Premier League, followed by the Kitply tri-series in Bangladesh and the Asia Cup in Pakistan where they did not spare any bowler.
The duo will be hoping not to leave any stone unturned in the longer version of the game too.
Former India Test opener Anshuman Gaekwad believes the duo will be as successful in Tests too.
“They complement each other, and are good runners between the wicket. It will be good for the team as both are busy players and can give a crisp start to the innings,” feels Gaekwad.
“Furthermore, the left-right combination is normally a dangerous combination. Let’s not forget that both Gambhir and Sehwag like to play long innings. They only have to stick at the wicket for a longer period,” he added. “They already have played most of the Sri Lankan bowlers. The only threat could be Ajantha Mendis, who they have not played before.”
Another former opener Chetan Chauhan, who as vice-president of the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) has watched the pair from close quarters, says: “They come from the same state and they coordinate and understand each other very well. I think it will be very good for the team if the duo lay a strong foundation like they do in ODIs and Twenty20,” says Chauhan, who was involved in 11 century partnerships with Sunil Gavaskar in his international career.
“The combination will work for the team because the duo have different batting styles. Sehwag is aggressive and Gambhir will be there to support him. It’s not that Gautam plays slowly but he has a habit to play long knocks. They have the talent, they can put things together easily. They only should concentrate on staying on the wicket for a longer period,” is Chauhan’s advice to the pair.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}