SPORTS

Rohit may replace Sehwag as opener

By Harish Kotian in London
June 04, 2009

It may be a problem of plenty for Mahendra Singh Dhoni but in reality it is a decision he would prefer not to take.

Rohit Sharma's blazing form since the start of the Indian Premier League and his superb batting performances as an opener in the two warm-up games for the ICC World Twenty20 has suddenly put a question mark on Virender Sehwag's comeback.

Once regarded as one of the most dangerous openers in world cricket, Sehwag may find it hard to displace Rohit from the top of the order.

Even Dhoni agrees that he is not quite sure what to do when Sehwag recovers from his injury and is available for selection for the ICC World Twenty20.

"Frankly speaking I don't know. I think it is always better to have problem of plenty rather than having nobody who can fill in the space. It is good to have Rohit Sharma in good form. He was in good form even in the IPL if you see. He is one batsman, who has scored consistently. As of now, I don't know what will happen when it comes to the batting order. It is good to have talented and performing cricketers in the side," Dhoni said in London on Wednesday.

Rohit smashed 80 from 53 deliveries to help India crush their arch-rivals Pakistan by nine wickets. What also could see Sehwag sitting out is that the middle order is nearly untouchable with the likes of Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja, all having done well recently.

Dhoni revealed that Rohit was straightaway keen to open the innings after Dhoni decided to play down the order due to Yuvraj's injury.

Well, we discussed with him in the practice sessions and he was quite keen. When you ask a guy you always see the response, as to how quick he responds and whether he has thought twice on it or not. He was very keen on opening and with Viru injured that was the best option available because for the first game I thought I would open but after Yuvraj was out injured I decided to stay down the order. Rohit seemed like an appropriate innings; he has got the time and talent.

Despite the easy win, Dhoni was unhappy with the bowling in the death overs.

"I don't think we bowled well in the last two overs. I think we need to improve on that because today we were looking for the basics like yorkers. You have to see who is batting at that point of time, what innovative shots he can play, whether the ball has scuffed enough to get the reverse swing going," he said.

The Indian captain also made it clear that it would be difficult to play both the spinners.

"It is a tough call to make right now but definitely it is a thought on my mind now. As of now I can say we have the option of part-time spin bowlers. We don't have the talent in the side who can bowl seam up so we will have to sacrifice one fast bowler if we have to take that extra spinner. You also have to look at your strength and you don't want to be too light when it comes to batting just because your batsmen are in form," he said.

Harish Kotian in London

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