Five takeaways from India A-England Warm-up matches

It should be opening or bust for Rahane

Rahane should open or be left out

Anil Kumble himself admitted that despite the embarrassment of riches currently at India's disposal in the middle-order, Rahane will bat at the top of the order for India during the upcoming ODI series. That is a good move not just on the basis of Rahane's match-winning 83-ball 91 as an opener in the second warm-up match but also his prior track record.

Of the 72 ODIs that Rahane has played, 42 of them has been as an opener. While the emergence of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan as an established opening pair since the last Champions Trophy has meant he has batted in the middle-order largely barring injuries. But the management should ensure that it is opening or nothing as far as Rahane is concerned in the ODIs.

His proven IPL track record not only strengthen this claim, but the presence of Manish Pandey, Yuvraj Singh, Kedar Jadhav and even KL Rahul, all fighting for two spots in the middle-order alongside Dhoni mean India have big-hitters who can do the job at the end. And With Rahul capable of opening the batting as well, poor performances should mean that Rahane loses out on a spot in the XI.