Published: Jun 11, 2011, 01:33 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 25, 2014, 06:24 PM (IST)
By Venkat Balantrapu
The unavailability of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir for the India-West Indies series is a serious blow to the Indian team, whose famed batting has benefited immensely from the solid foundation that the two openers have consistently provided.
The critical opening slot would now be in the hands of Murali Vijay and Abhinav Mukund in the Tests and while Shikhar Dhawan and Parthiv Patel have been manning the positions in the ongoing ODIs. Vijay is fortunate to get yet another call as he has done precious little in the chances he has go so far. Shikhar Dhawan and Abhinav Mukund have made it to the team on the back of their impressive displays in the domestic season – outside the IPL.
While Dhawan shot into prominence in the Under-19 World Cup, Mukund forced his way with some consistent batting in the domestic cricket for Tamil Nadu – consecutive centuries in the first two Ranji matches in 2007-08 season, a triple century in the first match followed by three centuries in the 2008-09 season and then centuries in each innings in the Duleep Trophy semi-finals in 2009-10. After such compelling performances if his national selection was delayed it was only because of the firmly-entrenched pair of Sehwag and Gambhir. And now that the vacancy has been created, the selectors have not lost anytime in inducting the promising youngster. Expectations will be high when he makes his Test debut.
Dhawan has benefitted from representing Delhi, alongside Sehwag, Gambhir and Virat Kohli. To his credit, Dhawan has performed consistently for India Under-19 and Delhi team. He was a star in the inaugural IPL edition in 2008 and has already proved his mettle in the first ODI against the West Indies – only his second outing for India – with a vital half century to ensure an Indian win.
It’s only a matter of time before Sehwag and Gambhir take their rightful places back in the Indian team, which is why it’s very critical that the newcomers grab their opportunities so that it won’t be easy for the selectors to overlook them.
(Venkat Balantrapu works in senior insurance management in Tanzania. He has deep passion for cricket and has played the game at various levels in India, and also in some of the African countries for over a period of two decades. Venkat writes on the game with the same passion for various websites and magazines)
