- OPENERS:
Rohit Sharma, India’s most lethal weapon at the top of the order returns to the ODI setup for the first time since October 2016 and his return is a delightful news. It was in this very tournament in 2013, when that dazzling pair of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan was tried at the top of the order and since then, the duo has put on some stunning performances. The success attained by India in ODIs since the last four years can be credited to the starts provided by Dhawan and Sharma. The duo as an opening pair average a stunning 45.36 in 56 innings and have already piled on 2495 runs together. This includes 8 century and an equal number of half-century stands. The most impressive aspect has been that they complement each other quite well and whenever they have put on a century stand, India has always won. In winning causes, their average as an opening pair shoots up to 57.48.
Interestingly, Ajinkya Rahane has been slotted as the reserve opener to the side. Considering the elegant right hander’s record in England, this isn’t a bad move. Rahane averages 38.88 in England as opposed to his career average of 32.42 and in this part of the world, he has achieved considerable success. Not to forget, the last time he was in England, he rampaged the English bowlers into orbit at Birmingham where he registered his first ODI century. In case Dhawan doesn’t fire, Rahane can make his way alongside Sharma and his experience of playing in England will be valuable. At the top of the order, Rahane can adjust to any role and with the powerplay in context, his range as an opener further widens.