Now selectors go high on MSD

More, who was present along with BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah to announce the team for Tests, stumped a horde of mediamen who gathered at the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) office in Wankhede Stadium, by suggesting the team would have Dhoni as the third opening option in case any of the regulars — Virender Sehwag and Wasim Jaffer— opted out of a match. ‘‘Dhoni can fill in the slot if needed,’’ More told reporters after a marathon meeting ended here.

Dhoni has established himself as the most efficient middle-order batsman along with Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina in recent times as far as the one-dayers are concerned. In Tests too, Dhoni has proved himself in the middle-order — five Tests until now — with a century under his belt.

India, for the record, have opened with six different pairs in Tests after Greg Chappell took over as coach last year. And now, after putting the world’s best No. 3 Rahul Dravid and the classy VVS Laxman through the grind, the team management has come up with a weired thought of playing Dhoni at the top of the order.

Even the Australians, who regard Adam Gilchrist as the most explosive batsman ever in the side — he opens in ODIs — haven’t toyed with the idea of opening with the southpaw in Tests. Instead, Gilchrist, one of the senior-most members in their batting line-up is permanent at No 6.

Dhoni, India’s latest star, has been weighed against the Aussie wicket-keeper-batsman for his aggressive style and also continues to be a major success in the team’s batting plans at No. 6 position. But to try him out at an opener is something difficult to digest.

India’s perennial problems lie in their inability to unearth quality opening batsmen in recent times. According to a senior selector, ‘‘India haven’t had many batsmen who have been perpetual openers. Even somebody like Sehwag was a middle-order batsman until he was pushed to do the job at the top. Today, he is one of the best.’’

It is a justification given to try out Dhoni in that position. ‘‘We tried the options we had but they never worked out to our satisfaction. So, why not try Dhoni? He’s even opened for Jharkhand in the past,’’ justifies the selector.