New Delhi, June 1: Former national selector Sarandeep Singh has backed KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal to be India’s opening pair for the upcoming five-match tour of England, citing that the duo bring the stability element at the top of the batting order.
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.
“I’d back KL Rahul to open. Pairing him with Jaiswal gives you experience in challenging conditions like England. Easwaran is still new—there’ll be pressure on him, and the opposition will sense that.”
“KL 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’re looking for stability at the top, KL Rahul and Jaiswal should open,” said Sarandeep on Follow The Blues – Selectors Meet episode on JioHotstar.
Saba Karim, another ex-selector, felt Easwaran, who’s been in India ‘A’ squad and been the reserve opener in the Test team, should open the batting with Jaiswal. “Before the selectors decide on the squad, they must keep two things in mind: don’t get carried away by recent performances and respect the pecking order—players who have consistently played for India A or have been part of the Test setup.”
Kiran More, the former chief selector, believes India should stick to a balanced left-right opening combination in England. (IANS)
