5 debutants India need to try as openers in tests

Opening an innings in test cricket is one of the most difficult tasks in the game. One needs to have gritty technique, sheer patience, and composure in order to succeed at this position. India has one of the best opening pairs going around in limited overs cricket. However, when it comes to test cricket, the story is entirely different. India's default opening pair before the tour to England was Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay. However, after the failure in 2 tests, Murali Vijay was immediately dropped.

Shikhar Dhawan is one of the most dangerous players in limited overs cricket. His technique and aggression can be a headache for any bowlers. He can easily rotate the strike or clear the ball over the mid-wicket fence. However, when it comes to red ball cricket, he becomes a different guy. He struggles in seaming conditions and his impatience caused him to lose his wicket after getting a really good start. Dhawan just averaged 20.25 in the test series, not crossing the half-century mark at least once.

Murali Vijay is a guy who is a sheet anchor. His composure and patience were proved in really tough conditions in the last few years. He played a crucial role in India's test win at lords when they toured England back in 2014. However, in the last few series, the Tamil Nadu opener has found it really tough to keep it going. He recently made his county debut for Essex and just hit a brilliant ton. However, he needs to work even harder to get a call back to the Indian test team.

KL Rahul has solidified his place in team India after his scintillating knock of 149 in the last test in England. India will be willing to give the Karnataka batsman a few more chances.

Thus it is safe to say that Indian opening is in a precarious position. We feel it is high time India look for alternative options. Here is a look at 5 debutants who deserves a go in the ultimate form of cricket.

#5. Prithvi Shaw

Prithvi Shaw is having a brilliant time with India A team

England tried Haseeb Hameed. Australia tried Matt Renshaw. So why shouldn't India try a teenage sensation to open the innings for them? The faith selectors have in the 18-year-old Mumbai opener was evident when he was called up as a replacement for Murali Vijay in India's recent tour of England. Although he did not get a chance, the youngster would be high in confidence.

Prithvi Shaw averages a brilliant 56.72 in his 14 first-class matches. This includes a brilliant 188 he made against West Indies A in July this year in England. If India is looking to groom a long-term prospect, Prithvi Shaw is the guy whom India should back.

#4. Prashant Chopra

Prashant Chopra is the only Himachal Pradesh batsman to score a triple century.

Prashant Chopra recently scored a 338 for Himachal Pradesh. With that knock, he made some records as well. He became only the third player in the history of First Class cricket to hit a triple century on his birthday. The 271 he scored on the first day of the match was the most by any player on the opening day of a first-class game in India.

Prashant has been in the domestic circuit for almost 6 years now. The 25-year-old averages 46.10 in the 41 matches he played. Even though he is really consistent, he has only 7 centuries in this format. The right-hander can also bowl part-time leg spin and boasts 8 wickets in his first-class career.

#3. Faiz Fazal

If India needs an experienced campaigner to open for them, Faiz Fazal is the man. This 33 year played a crucial role in leading Vidarbha to their maiden Ranji title win. With a mammoth 102 First Class games experience, Fazal has scored more than 7000 runs with an average of 41.51, which is still very good. He is a really gritty batsman who can tackle the movement of the new ball, making it easier for the batsmen to come.

He can be a really significant asset in overseas like New Zealand and England, where the initial ball movement is significant and where Indian opening batsmen tend to succumb to the new ball. He made his international debut for India a couple of years back against Zimbabwe and would be looking forward to getting the test cap. He is also the 2nd top scorer in the last Ranji trophy season.

#2. Priyank Panchal

Priyank Panchal had an excellent season in 2016/17. He was the leading run scorer in the Ranji trophy by scoring a mammoth 1310 runs in 10 matches. This was also the third highest score in a season by any batsmen in the history of the tournament. Only Shreyas Iyer and VVS Laxman scored more than him in a season. Even though he couldn't replicate his success this year, he still had a formidable average of 60 with two centuries and half centuries apiece.

The 28-year-old Gujarat opener has been lurking in the domestic season for about 10 years. He averages 45.29 in his 68 matches old first-class career. He has shown he can score big and remain consistent at the same time. So it is just a matter of time before he gets called up.

#1. Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal had an outstanding season.

Mayank Agarwal had an unbelievable season. He became the top scorer in both Ranji trophy and Vijay Hazare trophy. He shattered records with his bat, yet did not receive the national call-up. Mayank scored 2141 runs, becoming the first cricketer to shatter the 2000 runs barrier in inter-state tournaments. He has scored 1160 runs in Ranji trophy at a brilliant average of 105.45, comprising a triple century. He has scored 5 centuries in this Ranji season. The pace at which he scores his runs is also commendable. He boasts a solid strike rate of 68.80.

His overall first-class career looks wonderful, with an average just above 50, including 8 centuries and 18 half centuries. If India were to change Dhawan, there are no other players more deserving than this Karnataka bludgeoner to be his replacement.