Kohli backs openers

Kolkata, January 23 

India’s opening batsmen have come under fire for poor starts in the last two home series against New Zealand and England but captain Virat Kohli says now is the time to give them support, not show them the door. The hosts defeated New Zealand 3-2 and won the three-match ODI series against England 2-1 but there was not a single 50-run partnership at top of the innings.

While 49 was the highest opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane in the five ODIs against New Zealand, India’s first-wicket stands against England were 13, 14 and 13.

Lokesh Rahul played all three games against England, scoring eight, five and 11, while partner Shikhar Dhawan managed one and 11 before making way for Rahane, who was out for one in Sunday’s third ODI in Kolkata.

India have no more 50-over matches scheduled before they defend their Champions Trophy title in England in June but Kohli is confident the problems will be sorted out by then.

“Whatever areas or concerns we have, we’ll address them,” said Kohli. “First we didn’t have an opening problem, it was an issue with the middle order. Now the middle order has been sorted. We have very good openers with us. It’s not a case where we have to find openers. You have to give chances for people to come back into form.

“I think if we back our openers and give them confidence, it’s all about one or two innings in international cricket. Once you get the flow, everything clicks,” said the skipper. 

Injuries have compounded India’s opening issues as the team has been unable to give an extended run to a batting pair. Sharma has not played any cricket since hurting his thigh in the final ODI against New Zealand at the end of October while Rahul and Dhawan missed the series against the Black Caps with injuries.

Sharma, who holds the record for the highest individual ODI score, 264, is expected to return to face the new ball in the Champions Trophy, scheduled from June 1 to 18, but India would have to take a decision on who would partner the right-hander.

Despite the lack of solid starts, India were still able to score over 300 runs in all three ODIs against England and Kohli would rather focus on the positives. 

“The Champions Trophy (in 2013) is where we saw Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan as an opening-pair revelation,” Kohli said. “We have played only at 70-75 percent potential as a batting unit. If we play at 100 percent I don’t know how many runs we can score.” — Reuters