Analysis of India's openers for the upcoming Test series against England

Shikhar Dhawan

Dhawan averages 20.33 in 6 Test innings in England

Having bagged a pair in the practice match against Essex, Dhawan will be competing with KL Rahul for the opening position.

The left-handed opening batsman from Delhi has a dismal record away from home against England, Australia, and South Africa.

In the 2014 Test series against England, the left-handed opener really struggled and played only 3 of the 5 Tests and in the 6 innings in that series, he was dismissed thrice by James Anderson. An average of 20.33 in 6 innings in England does not elude much confidence for Dhawan.

In the Australian tour that followed the England tour in 2014, Dhawan averaged 27.83. He has struggled against South Africa in South Africa and in 6 innings in the rainbow nation and has averaged just 18.

With no centuries in England, Australia and South Africa, Dhawan has never looked to be comfortable in bowler-friendly conditions in Tests.

If Dhawan gets an opportunity to open in the series against England, he will look to replicate his success in the limited overs cricket in England at the Test level too.

An overall average of 43.94 in 50 Test innings does not reflect his dismal performance as mentioned above. Dhawan will look to improve his record and cement his place as an opener in Test matches away from home too.