First, an explanatory note about the large number of players who’ve been selected for the two first-class matches against the visiting Kiwis. The selectors had to name three separate teams without the national stars: one each for the India A and the Board President’s XI teams and a third for the Emerging Trophy tri-series in Sri Lanka. The large number of Ranji stars inducted includes nine openers (counting Aakash Chopra twice, since he’s in both teams, and Deep Dasgupta). Even given the fact that the Test side faces an opening problem, that may be going a bit too far. Is the search for a Test opener a real national crisis or just a case of unwanted paranoia? Let’s first check the record of current Test openers Sanjay Bangar and Virender Sehwag. With their contrasting styles, they could make the ideal pairing; Bangar to drop anchor and Sehwag to get the quick runs. Excluding the tour of New Zealand last winter — where Sehwag was the only one to fare well — Bangar has opened in seven innings. The average number of balls he’s faced is 140. That means his ‘survival average’ is an impressive 23 overs. Two long innings, possible on Indian pitches, would build up his confidence ahead of the Australia tour. Though Sehwag has made public his intentions of dropping down the order, his aggressive nature can be a big asset as a opener specially in Australia. Since it’s not likely that any opener will survive long Down Under, better to have someone who can score a few runs while he’s out there. If Sehwag has his way with the team management and drops down the order, the think-tank may even turn to Yuvraj Singh, who too can play the same role. The left-handed one-day specialist, who matured as a batsmen during the World Cup, has announced his intentions of opening the innings. There’s nothing wrong in testing Akash Chopra, Shiv Sundar Das, Sadagoppan Ramesh, Gautam Gambhir, Connor Williams and Wasim Jaffer in the side games but a hasty decision should be avoided. A mere half-century should not be enough for them to graduate. The second problem India face is behind the stumps. An objective view of Parthiv Patel — as an international player, not a child prodigy — shows that, barring a century in England for India A, his batting hasn’t exactly set the stands alight. His work behind the stumps has been almost flawless but questions about his batting persist. That could explain the logic of recalling Deep Dasgupta, the ‘‘most-maligned national wicket-keeper ever’’. With two Test hundreds — in South Africa and at home against England — Dasgupta always fitted half the role of the wicket-keeping batsman. The problem has been his work behind the stumps. But the Bengal ’keeper has recently asserted that he’s improved and his county stint — he played in the minor leagues — where he kept to swing bowlers by standing up has seen him iron his flaws. Worth a look-in, considering the Indian team’s desperation. If his glovework passes the test, we get a keeper who can’t just bat but can open too. That makes Sehwag happy and gives skipper Saurav Ganguly the option of drafting in an extra bowler or batsman. New York, New York! Among the three teams - India A, Board President’s XI and Emerging Trophy side - the selectors have named seven openers. Checking out the credentials of those who are challenging the regular Test openers Virender Sehwag and Sanjay Bangar. • Shiv Sunder Das: Was dropped after the West Indies tour last year. But has scored heavily for India A. Only a big knock will see him get a recall. • Sadagoppan Ramesh: Despite a decent domestic season he was not considered for India A, Challenger and Irani Cups. A tour game against the Kiwis will be vital for a man with a Test average of 37.97 • Wasim Jaffer: Impressed during India A tour to England but failed to consolidate in the Irani Cup. Has the technique to play the short ball but an averages of 20.07 from his seven Tests hasn’t helped his cause. • Deep Dasgupta: Two Test tons as an opener flowed by obscurity because of his sketchy glovework behind the stumps. After getting dropped a year back he gets another chance. • Akash Chopra: Missed Challenger and Irani Cup due to injury. Stood out during India A tour to Sri Lanka and West Indies. Features in both the side games so will get enough opportunity to prove his worth. • Connor Williams: The surprise inclusion considering his modest domestic performance. Despite being named in the Test squad he has never made it to the final XI. With Ramesh and Chopra in the India A squad, Williams might be doing the drinks duty again. • Gautam Gambhir: Had a highly successful domestic season and India A tour. Made his ODI debut this year. Emerging Trophy will see him play more one-dayers. That means no chance to prove himself as a Test opener. — Shamya Dasgupta
