Explained: Who will open Shikhar or KL Rahul along with Rohit Sharma?

With so many options before Virat Kohli for the opening slot in the five-match series, it will be difficult for the skipper to choose the playing XI. One of them is who will open with Rohit Sharma - Shikhar Dhawan or KL Rahul? People are speculating several combinations especially after Sharma has returned to the field as he was out of action nursing a hamstring injury during the Australia series last year.

  

 

Dhawan has always been the go-to person for the opener for a long time but after Rahul has come back with such confident batting, it has a dicey situation for the selectors. Seeing the squad, Rishabh Pant is suitable for the middle order, Team India can afford to pick only 1 of Rahul or Dhawan in the playing XI.

 

 

 

His explosive batting is what makes him one of the best T20 batsman. In the shortest format, he has been consistent with the bat. It should be noted that he had bagged the Orange Cap in last year's IPL. He had smashed 670 runs from 14 games. Apart from it, since July 2019, he has scored 663 runs from 17 innings, including seven 50s. Besides, Dhawan, who could only manage to score 359 runs from 13 innings during this period. The strike rate also favors Rahul as he has 140 unlike Dhawan who has 120.

 

 

However, Rahul has returned to the Indian squad after recovering from a thumb injury he suffered during the Australia tour.

 

 

 

 

Team India consists of right-handers in top 5 - Rohit, Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya and it needs a left-handed batsman in at least top 4 order as it will bring more variety in the team especially beneficial during the powerplay.

 

 

He has also smashed 617 runs for the Delhi Capitals with back-to-back centuries in the IPL. However, he seems reluctant with his batting when it comes to spinners.

 

Unlike Rahul, he joined the Indian squad after scoring 150 odd runs in Vijay Hazare Trophy.

 

 

If both are part of the playing XI, Rahul can bat at No.4. This means either Shreyas Iyer or Suryakumar Yadav will have to sit out from the series. And this can mean a setback for Rahul who can provide enough runs for the team if played as an opening batsman. It is also a disadvantage for Iyer who has settled for the No. 4 role.