Mumbai, Jul 14: India's new ODI opening combination of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma might have clicked, but former chief selector Kiran More is wary of dismissing the comeback chances of senior batsmen Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir.
“Competition is a healthy sign for Indian cricket. There is a good healthy competition going on. Whoever performs will be in the team. If somebody is unfit then Gambhir or Sehwag, or (even) Zaheer Khan, can walk in. You need experience also when you go on tough tours. Overall it is looking good and you can fall back on some of the players,” More told PTI in an interview.
The left-right combination of Delhi's Dhawan and Mumbai's Sharma has done exceedingly well in the short time it has been in action with India riding on the duo's consistency to clinch the ICC Champions Trophy in England and the triangular series in the West Indies.
Praising the performance of Dhawan and Sharma, More was of the opinion that one of the two experienced senior openers could return to the mix provided they do consistently well in the upcoming domestic season, as that would give the team more options if either of the younger lot fails.
“They (Gambhir and Sehwag) have to keep performing in domestic cricket. They need to have the belief. It is a healthy competition. All these players who are playing at the moment could also have a bad phase and some of these guys can come into the team then.
“When you look at the balance of the team, Rohit as an opener is doing well for the team. The selectors, coach and captain gave him the opportunity and he grabbed it. His experience is helping him. Definitely he is a class player. He is doing well.
“Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma are also good fielders.
They have put up good partnerships. But you need to look at one more option if something happens to Rohit or Shikhar. So even Sehwag or Gambhir can come in the team, if they get the opportunity,” he said.
