5 Indian openers waiting in the wings: Keeping Vijay and Dhawan on their toes

Abhinav Mukund

Abhinav Mukund

The Tamil Nadu opener has been knocking at the doors for quite some time now; has the ability and a composed head, backed with rich domestic experience. Mukund like any other left-hander is classy to watch and has an acumen for scoring big (has hit a triple century and has been involved in a 400+ run opening partnership with Murli Vijay).

He is exquisite through the off side and likes to play square of the wicket, like Andrew Strauss. With Mukund, if there is any ‘loose’ cog in the wheel, it is his ‘on-side’ play. In the last 6 months, he has slammed two big hundreds in the domestic circuit; 140 v U.P and 137 v J&K.

Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer

He is the rising star of Indian cricket and hopes from him have already started soaring. The Mumbaikar was one of India’s biggest catch this IPL (2015 edition), he scored 439 in 14 matches at a strike rate of 128.9.

Tough Shreyas Santosh Iyer does not have a sound technique and may look aggressive in his approach, but he more than makes up for it, with his guts and self-belief. Iyer made headlines when he became the highest run-getter for his state in his debut first-class season.

He compiled 809 runs at a staggering average of 50.5, and was the shining star in Mumbai's otherwise woeful campaign. The 21 year old is an exciting prospect for the future and the selectors will keep a very close watch on him.

Manoj Tiwary

Manoj Tiwary

Many may think I am off target on this, but I have always believed a successful number 3 can go ‘one step up’. We have to take into account his style of play, which is attacking; hence possibilities are Virat Kohli may get interested in him (eg. Harbhajan getting a test call after 2 years in Bangladesh).

The Howrah boy was ‘the’ next big thing when he arrived as he played a 360-degree game; strong on both sides of the wicket and a crisp timer of the ball. It would not be wrong to say that his journey has been full of stumbling blocks, getting injured whenever he got selected (Mirpur instantly comes to mind).

The complete batsman from the east, impressed all with his 796 runs at a ‘Bradman-like average’ of 99.50 in the 2006-07 Ranji Trophy season. He has been waiting in the wings for a long period now and with age still on his side, the selectors ‘will’ look at him as an opener, as his form is ‘decent’.

These are just few names who can be looked at as options. There are many other openers who have been performing well in the domestic circuit hence this is just a contrasting pool of players with different styles of play. For example, if Virat Kohli is looking for solidity in technique and age, Rahul and Jiwanjot Singh can be healthy options. Similarly for attack, Manoj Tiwary and Shreyas Iyer could be the next in line and for sheer experience, Mukund looks well placed.

Now with the ‘holy trinity’ of Sachin, Sourav and Laxman all set to take charge of the advisory committee, things are looking bright. The BCCI are making the correct moves but they will be tested and these 5 names are surely going to give them migraines.