Arthur Crabtree wrote:Who should be the two openers?
In squad Parthiv Patel is there who has opened for India at international level in test and also opens for domestic team. He also has opening experience on short format. Prithvi was Man of series in debut test series and he comes in by default. So next test I would play Prithvi and Parthiv . Parthiv being stop gap to solve the opening crisis for time being.
Prithvi at 19 is long term and termed as next Sachin right from his domestic tenure at Mumbai. He is in Sehwag mould with a attacking off side game. There is a weakness as he plays away from the body but so far he has managed to score runs at all levels with that. Hopefully he will not have issue at international level in bowler friendly conditions due to that. Otherwise he is very fine.
Mayank Agarwal has been in exemplary form in Ranji since last 2 seasons and also has done well on A tours this year. He deserves a chance even though he has weakness against a full paced delivery at stumps, something which was exposed by Lockie Ferguson as well on the A tour to NZ this month. But he has a good game on off side. He deserves one series at least.
Shubman Gill is a long term option. 19 years RHB who had a spectacular WC. He has shown he has lot of time . Also he showed a good game today in Ranji match against short pitched bowling scoring loads of runs square of the wicket. His highest score was 65 in NZ but with 199 not out today in Ranji he has played this innings at right time today. His name will hopefully be considered. I would like to see Prithvi and Shulman as long term openers.
Priyank Panchal of Gujarat is also a good opening batsman and a better fielder. He is someone who has a decent technique as well as shots all around the ground. But as Gujarat captain he showed he is not a captaincy material. I am surprised his name isn't doing rounds.
A Easwaran and R Samarth are A tour openers. But they are average batsmen imo. Considering they are in A squads they will make the squad in an year if they score. R Samarth from Karnataka, and he opened when Rahul or Uthappa were not available for Ranji trophy matches. Since last two years they are regular openers for their teams more often than not. At times he and Eswaran have batted at 3 early in their career somewhere in 2013.
Test FL's - 8 , ODI and Tests Combo FL's - 1, ODI World Cup - 1, ODI FL's - 7, ODI and T20i combo FL's - 1 ,
T20 Franchisee FL's - 7, T20i Cup FL's- 1, T20 FL's- 5 , 50 Overs Domestic FL's - 1, 40 Overs Domestic FL's- 1