Ian Chappell wants India to try Stuart Binny as an opener

Stuart Binny

Former Australian captain Ian Chappell wants India to try seam bowling all-rounder Stuart Binny as an opening batsman in place of struggling Shikhar Dhawan. Chappell, writing in his ESPNcricinfo column, has said that India’s World Cup defence is “looking as shaky as Christchurch in the midst of an earthquake” and, if they are to improve their chances, that they should be making a few changes to their line-up.

‘Binny looks good enough to play as an all-rounder’

Citing Shikhar Dhawan’s overseas woes as an opener, Chappell writes, “As Shikhar Dhawan continues to struggle under Australian conditions, perhaps the time is right to open the batting with Binny. He looks technically capable and this would give Dhoni another bowling option, which appears to be a priority.”

While Chappell is convinced that Binny can make the side as an all-rounder, he doesn’t think India should be using him as an opening bowler, which they did in the ODI against England in Brisbane.

He further writes, “An opening attack of Stuart Binny and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, which India utilised at the Gabba, is not going to have the opposition batsmen searching for sleeping pills. There might be an argument for fitting Binny into the ODI side as an allrounder who can provide some runs and a few economical overs, but certainly not as a new-ball bowler.”

‘India needs to start winning’

Since setting foot on Australian soil last November, India have played 4 Tests and 2 ODIs, but have won none of them. While the batsmen have stepped up, the bowling unit has been a huge let-down. The 71-year-old has urged the Men in Blue to not take the ongoing tri-series as just a rehearsal for the World Cup, which begins on February 24.

He said: "India have placed so much emphasis on their World Cup campaign from the start of their tour, it's to be wondered if they are using the tri-series as a rehearsal for the main show. If that is their mindset, then they need to change it quickly, because sloppy play and a series of defeats is not the way to enter a major tournament."

Widely regarded as one of the best captains the game has ever seen, Chappell also wanted Virat Kohli to be back in his usual batting position, i.e., No. 3. He writes, ”A good start to a resurgence would be to reinstate Virat Kohli at No. 3. It puts the two best players of the short-pitched ball front and centre, and if it's the intention of opponents to bounce the Indians out, then these two could short-circuit those plans very quickly.”

India face Australia in their third match of the Carlton Mid ODI tri-series, at Sydney, tomorrow.