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Journalism of Courage
Strictly speaking, India’s opening dilemma doesn’t qualify as a problem because the team management has four solutions to choose from! Chandresh Narayanan dons his tipster’s hat and ranks them, in receding order of probability…
SEHWAG AND PARTHIV
Always under fire for his keeping, Patel’s gutsy innings at Lahore has brought a new dimension to the debate. The most likely candidate to walk out with Sehwag
Pros: Just fresh from a confidence-boosting innings. His gutsy approach is ideally suited to balance Sehwag’s flamboyance, the most natural replacement for Chopra. And could be just the surprise to upset Pakistan
Cons: Is he strong enough to open and keep wickets? If the Indians remain on the field for two-odd days, he’ll be in no state to open
SEHWAG AND YUVRAJ
Yuvi started it all with the hundred at Lahore, now the team management doesn’t know what to do with him. Once the hot tip to open with Viru, more conservative opinion is beginning to hold sway
Pros: High on confidence after the century, eager to prove that he is good enough to play Test cricket
Cons: Two flashy openers is not something the team management is comfortable with. In a deciding Test, early loss of wickets is the last thing needed. Could also dent Yuvraj’s confidence, much like what happened with Hemang Badani in Zimbabwe
SEHWAG AND GANGULY
The skipper is back and wants to leave his mark on the series. Not surprisingly, he’s prepared to throw his hat in the ring. Before Sehwag, was the regular ODI opener and has also opened in one Test innings
Pros: A brave move, can send the right signals to the Pakistani camp. If he comes off there will be chances that India will have taken the initiative in the Test. Much like in Australia a confident in-form Ganguly is the key for a winning India
Cons: A battered captain, ducking the short-pitched stuff, is not what India need. And there will be lots of the short stuff
SEWHAG AND CHOPRA
The only specialist in the side stands least chance of playing in Rawalpindi. He has acted as a cover for the strokemakers in the side, a detail that seems to have escaped most. All through Australia he was the cornerstone of the Indian side
Pros: Test cricket is for specialists according to coach John Wright and so the Delhi opener deserves a chance on that count. Could be fired up by all the doomsayers to score his maiden century
Cons: He’s out of form, Yuvraj is in form. Has already been given a long rope by the team management. Too defensive for flat tracks like in the subcontinent
