Rahul and Jaiswal clicked as an opening pair on the Test tour of Australia, as seen by them putting a stand of 201 runs in the series opener at Perth Stadium last year. With Rahul being the only opener in the current Test team to score centuries in England, his experience will be vital in India getting a perfect start with the bat and guiding Jaiswal in negotiating tough conditions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019d back KL Rahul to open. Pairing him with Jaiswal gives you experience in challenging conditions like England. Easwaran is still new\u2014there\u2019ll be pressure on him, and the opposition will sense that.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cKL Rahul brings balance. He knows how to survive tricky sessions and shift momentum when needed. If Easwaran plays, he could be slotted at No. 3. But if you\u2019re looking for stability at the top, KL Rahul and Jaiswal should open,\u201d said Sarandeep on Follow The Blues - Selectors Meet episode on JioHotstar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Saba Karim, another ex-selector, felt Easwaran, who\u2019s been in India \u2018A\u2019 squad and been the reserve opener in the Test team, should open the batting with Jaiswal. \u201cBefore the selectors decide on the squad, they must keep two things in mind: don\u2019t get carried away by recent performances and respect the pecking order\u2014players who have consistently played for India A or have been part of the Test setup.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAbhimanyu Easwaran fits that bill. He has a solid domestic record and has done well in SENA countries. I\u2019d go with Easwaran and Jaiswal as the opening pair\u2014one right-hander and one left-hander, with strong technique for English conditions.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kiran More, the former chief selector, believes India should stick to a balanced left-right opening combination in England. \u201cThe England tour should be used to create opportunities for players like Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad. You\u2019ll need three or four openers.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cYashasvi Jaiswal has already proven himself. With Shubman Gill around, you can have a solid left-right combination. Sai Sudharsan can also bat at No. 3. He\u2019s smart, composed, and not flashy. The series won\u2019t be easy, so give these players a chance to grow. Out of them, you\u2019ll find your long-term openers.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
More also believes Rahul should bat at number four, a slot which the recently retired Virat Kohli held. \u201cKL Rahul is ideal for No. 4. You could open with Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. Eswaran can be your backup opener or bat at No. 3. Sai Sudharsan gives you flexibility\u2014he can bat anywhere, top or middle.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cDon\u2019t forget Karun Nair. He\u2019s scored over 7,800 runs in domestic cricket and has a triple hundred in Tests. You need solid backup across the order, where KL Rahul at No. 4 can anchor the innings, especially after two quick wickets or against the second new ball.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
More further thinks Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy should be the all-rounders while adding that Mohammed Shami should be picked if he can handle the workload of playing a couple of Tests in England.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cYou already have all-rounders like Jadeja. I\u2019d also include Washington Sundar\u2014he\u2019s played Test cricket and done well. He\u2019s useful with the bat and can balance the side. With many left-handers around, pace-bowling all-rounders will also be important. Nitish Reddy could be a good option in that space.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cMy pace picks would include Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Arshdeep Singh\u2014he played county cricket last year. Shami, if fit, must be considered\u2014even for two or three Tests.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cYou already have all-rounders like Jadeja. I\u2019d also include Washington Sundar\u2014he\u2019s played Test cricket and done well. He\u2019s useful with the bat and can balance the side. With many left-handers around, pace-bowling all-rounders will also be important. Nitish Reddy could be a good option in that space.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> LIVE Cricket Score<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n