With openers Sharma, Dhawan failing to give India good starts in tournament, Mumbai batsman's consistency will give team the solidity it needs
The pleasant city of Bengaluru saw temperatures touch almost 40 degree Celsius on Monday. So, it wasn't a surprise that for Team India's optional practice session on Monday afternoon, only Ajinkya Rahane turned up along with batting coach Sanjay Bangar.
It's 12.25 pm, sun blaring down. Rahane, decked up in cricketing gear, took throwdowns from the former India all-rounder before playing the spinners and setting himself some targets. He duly achieved them.
Bangar applauded the batsman's efforts before the duo moved on after close to a two-hour net session.
The buzz around was that a few more players would have made it but they did not. Fresh from their much-celebrated win over Pakistan at the Eden Gardens on Saturday, they probably preferred to rest.
Rahane's attendance at the nets might not imply that he will be drafted into the playing XI in India's next match against Bangladesh here on Wednesday. But the diminutive batsman certainly showed his keeness to be prepared, should he be asked to don the pads.
For Rahane, who hasn't been given a long run by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in T20I cricket, every practice session is important. He is aware that whenever an opportunity arises, he shouldn't be found wanting.
While the famed Indian batting line-up may give rivals some sleepless nights, it is increasingly becoming a one man show with Virat Kohli fighting lone battles.
In T20 cricket, the middle-order seldom gets the opportunity to express itself. It is the top order that plays a major role and the Indian batting has faltered in this regard.
Barring Kohli, the top order comprising Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan hasn't been able to make much of a difference. The openers have wasted the opportunities they have got. It is in this context that Rahane's role and position in the Indian batting order is a subject of debate and speculation.
Sharma was expected to carry on the good form he showed in Australia, but he hasn't been able to. In the last 10 outings, he has just managed two half-centuries, the recent one being a 98* against West Indies in the warm-up game at the Eden Gardens.
Dhawan, too, hasn't lived up to expectations. There have always been question marks on his consistency and technique. And there is no saying when he would strike form. A captain cannot trust this southpaw's form.
And if one were to analyse, both the openers seem comfortable in conditions where the ball comes on to the bat and struggle when there is even a slight challenge.
The inconsistency of these two adds to the burden on Kohli and it will be unfair to expect the No.3 batsman take it on his shoulders everytime.
There are questions being asked about Suresh Raina's batting. And though some say he makes up for it with his part-time bowling and crucial breakthroughs, it doesn't justify his shortcomings in playing his functionary role, which is scoring runs regularly.
Coming back to Rahane, the Mumbaikar is successful in the shorter format when he is at the top of the order. And it will be unfair to ask him to adjust in the middle-order as he takes time to settle down.
With so much at stake and at this stage of the tournament, Dhoni might look for the trust and consistency that Rahane brings with him instead of talent and potential that the current Indian openers promise.
It would not be asking for too much if Dhoni gives the Mumbai batsman confidence and a longer run. Both Kohli and England's Joe Root have shown that traditional hitting and straight-bat approach is as relevant in T20s as it is in any other format. And a consistent Rahane at the top of the order will hold the fort at one end and make it easier for the Kohlis and Dhonis that follow.
Come Wednesday, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here, it might not be all that much of a surprise if Rahane walks out as part of the playing XI. As the lone Indian who turned up for practice, he might just cool down things a bit as temperature soars for the Indian top order.
Indian openers' last 5 T20I innings
Rohit Sharma Opposition Shikhar Dhawan
10 Pakistan 6
5 New Zealand 1
1 Bangladesh 60
39 UAE 16*
15 Sri Lanka 1
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