At the Boxing Day test-match in Melbourne, Indian captain MS Dhoni’s decision to bring in Karnataka opener KL Rahul ahead of Suresh Raina, in the middle order, may have surprised some. But it’s evident that Dhoni has big plans for Rahul. Since Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay open the innings for India, there wasn’t any such slot for Rahul, who has come into the team with a ton of domestic runs to his name.
But, being a youngster, it was a calculated move from Dhoni not to expose him early to the new ball in Australia. The objective was to make Rahul play the Test match as a middle-order batsman and take things from there.
Dhoni didn’t consider Suresh Raina for a Test comeback, in the ongoing Test in Melbourne. The Indian captain knew that Raina is not the best against short-pitched deliveries, and making him play in the third Test ahead of Rahul won’t be the best move for the future.
Rahul, who has shown tremendous promise, was pitted against some proven players in Indian cricket before the selectors picked him for the Australian tour.
Interestingly, when India had lost the England Test series, Raina was a key figure in the Indian camp with some refreshing knocks in the ODI series, which was followed by disappointing Test outings. Despite that Raina has to wait for his Test comeback as there are others in line.
With Dhawan getting out in the 20s, again, in the first innings of the ongoing Melbourne Test, there’s a lot of curiosity about Rahul being asked to open the innings for India in Sydney. Such a move may pave the way for Raina’s anticipated return. However a lot of cricket would have to be played before any such thing happens.
Dhawan, who was batting well but perished because of one miss-step, will also get a chance in second innings to prove his place in the Indian team.
