4 times Parthiv Patel opened in Tests for India in the past

When MS Dhoni retired abruptly from Test cricket in Australia in 2014, it was a difficult task for the selection committee to find a like-for-like replacement, both as a batsman and wicket-keeper. Saha was considered the logical first choice, given that he had the safest pair of gloves behind the wicket.

Many eyebrows were raised when Parthiv was picked as the wicket-keeper for the 3rd Test against England in 2016. More recently, he was asked to open the batting against South Africa in the ongoing Test match, but it is not the first time he has opened for India.

Take a look at few of the other instances:

#1 2nd Test, 3rd Innings, India tour of New Zealand at Hamilton, Dec 2002

Parthiv's batting average at different positions

Surprisingly, he averages 53 while opening the innings against his career average of 31.13. Parthiv’s first ever match as an opener was against New Zealand at Hamilton in 2002. Both the teams were bowled out for under 100 - India made 99 in their first innings, and New Zealand in reply made 94.

A 17-year-old Parthiv was asked to open the innings in hostile conditions to make some quick runs. He didn't last more than seven balls and was dismissed for a duck by Daryl Tuffey. But what was interesting about this match was that Parthiv accepted the responsibility to open an innings in hostile conditions.

#2 3rd Test, 2nd Innings, India tour of Pakistan at Rawalpindi, Apr 2004

Parthiv’s next chance to open the innings came in 2004 in the Golden Jubilee Test match against Pakistan at Rawalpindi. After the hosts were bundled out for 224 runs in their first innings, India lost Sehwag off the very first ball of their innings.

However, Parthiv played an uncharacteristic innings of extreme caution and pulled India out of early trouble, helping suck the early momentum away from Pakistan. He put on a partnership of 129 runs with Rahul Dravid, his contribution amounting to 69 runs off 141 balls. This partnership laid the foundation for India to take a lead of 376 runs and eventually win the match and series.

#3 3rd Test, 2nd Innings and 4th Innings, England tour of India at Chandigarh, Nov 2016

Parthiv received his next chance in 2016 after a gap of almost 12 years, to open against England in the 3rd Test at Chandigarh. Parthiv was leading Gujarat against Mumbai in a Ranji Trophy match in Hubbali (Karnataka) when the news of him being selected for the Indian Test squad broke.

He was asked to open the innings with Murali Vijay thanks to a spate of injuries, after keeping wickets for 94 overs and traveling 2000 km from Hubbali to Chandigarh.

He scored 42 runs off 85 balls in the first innings and 67 off 54 balls in his second innings. More than the runs he scored, the intent Parthiv showed in both his innings deflated England.

The Indian captain Virat Kohli was all praise for Parthiv in the press conference after the game and credited him for going out there and taking on England’s seamers.

#4 5th Test, 2nd Innings, England tour of India at Chennai, Dec 2016

Parthiv moved down the order for the 4th Test of the series but returned to the top for the 5th Test after Murali Vijay injured himself. Opening was always going to be a stiff task as he had kept wickets for 157 overs spanning a little over 5 sessions prior to that.

Parthiv scored 71 off 112 balls, putting up a partnership of 152 runs with KL Rahul. This innings once again proved Parthiv’s commitment to the team.