Sourav Ganguly picks his own opening duo for India’s first Test against England

XtraTime Web Desk: Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly is of the view that Lokesh Rahul should open India’s innings with Murali Vijay in the first Test against England, beginning on Wednesday at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Ganguly emphasised on the fact that Shikhar Dhawan is a better ODI player and does not have a good Test record in overseas conditions. Dhawan has struggled in South Africa, England and Australia as he averaged 22.06 in 18 innings. In England, the figure drops to 20.33 from six innings. “I would go with Murali Vijay and KL Rahul as openers in the Test series,” Ganguly felt.





“Shikhar Dhawan is a good ODI player, and he was in decent touch during the ODI series as well, however, when he opens in Test cricket in overseas conditions, he doesn’t have a good record, be it South Africa, England or Australia,” Ganguly added.





Ganguly maintained his stand that Dhawan has proved himself in Test cricket at home and it will be interesting to see what the team management decides. “In India, he scores hundreds in Test cricket … it will be interesting to see the team management’s decision on this,” he said.