IPL 2014: The openers - Sumptuous starters

The IPL is packed with performers to the hilt - thespians who provide the most nerve racking of entertainment to lovers of the game with a penchant for the most dramatic of action. Well begun is half done. Indeed, a roller coaster of a start ensures smooth sailing for the sailors down the order. The openers set the tone of a match, providing sumptuous starters for gourmets of T20 prior to goading in on a feast.Sedateness at the top, more often than not creates frowns on the faces of the fans and innumerable sigs in the stands, as the audience braces itself for a dismal ninety minutes. Whereas, a blitzkrieg atop, a brutal pulverisation of the bowlers by the openers drives the audience to a frenzy, delirious with swoons of joy. Here we take a look at the most power packed of opening pairs i.e. possible opening pairs, duos which can provide people their moneys worth of entertainment, right from the word go.

#1 Aaron Finch and David Warner:

I will put this down as ‘the pair to watch out for’ in this year’s IPL. Well, Shikhar Dhawan is a possibility for the opener’s spot, but the Aussie pair has the potential to wreak havoc and create mayhem under any conditions.

Finch is among the cleanest hitters of the cherry in any format and Warner is in the form of his life at the moment. Warner is a surety for the opener’s spot and going with Finch instead of Dhawan would keep the right left combination intact. The Sunrisers’ bosses have made some brilliant decisions in this year’s auction and bagging the destructive Aussie duo is certainly one among them.

#2 Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum

Despite retaining the crux of the side from the previous season, the top has undergone a swashbuckling change. Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum will most probably open the innings for the Super Kings which will be a treat to watch.

Power packed performances are all but a surety by this duo which will drive even the most sedate of fans to the heights of craziness. No total is too long a bridge to cross, if this pair sticks on for a few overs. The move to strengthen the top order should actually serve Dhoni’s penchant for chasing down scores. Certainly, warning bells for opposition bowlers.

#3 Chris Gayle and Parthiv Patel

The man who is undoubtedly among the greatest T20 players of all time, Chris Gayle is all set to continue his rampant juggernaut come IPL 2014. The man who has won a plethora of games for RCB, single-handedly, Gayle remains the bowler’s biggest nightmare in the game’s shortest incarnation.

Blessed with megawatts of power, Gayle cranks up a storm, demolishing bowlers with a patented disdain. Accompanying Chris Gayle at the top of the order has to be among the easier of jobs in T20 cricket. Pat the ball, scamper through and watch the fun form the other end. The mantra is as simple as that.

The diminutive Parthiv Patel seems, in all probability Chris Gayle’s partner at the top of the order. The choice seems to be fair enough, considering the easiness of the job at hand. Parthiv is capable of rotating the strike and is more than capable of scoring the odd boundary as as well. RCB has the option of including Aussie Nic Maddinson, if the team wants more firepower to supplement Gayle’s carnage at the top.

#4 Shane Watson and Ajinkya Rahane

With Rahul Dravid calling it quits, Shane Watson will most probably open the innings with young Rahane with teenager Sanju Samson coming in at one drop. In a team low on star value, Watson and Rahane have it in them to get the Royals off to a flier, laying the platform for stroke makers like Steve Smith and Brad Hodge to capitalise later on. And if Watson clicks, he could make mincemeat of the opposition in double quick time. Watch out for this pair from the den of the underdogs.

#5 Kevin Pietersen/Quinton De Kock and Murali Vijay

KP can be expected to open for the Delhi outfit, considering the fact that he had donned the opener’s hat in the few matches he played in 2012 and also for England in the one dayers. Arguably among the most destructive of players when in the mood, KP looks to be a good bet at the opener’s slot.

Murali Vijay provided the ideal foil to Hussey, while opening for CSK, so in all probability can be expected to come good with the Daredevils too. He has shown the penchant to hit the long ball as well as the uncanny knack of picking up singles when the partner at the other end is going great guns. Delhi can also be expected to thrust the 21 year old Quinton De Kock at the top with Vijay and expect KP to play the role of a sheet anchor at one drop. That may not be a bad idea, considering the fact that Pietersen himself has expressed interest in a leadership role and would love to play through the innings with the rest of the line-up rallying around him

#6 Jacques Kallis and Robin Uthappa

The old warhorse is back on field. The fact that Kallis is getting no younger hasn’t hampered the Knight Riders’ from investing in his all-round capabilities. In a scenario where fast bowling all-rounders do not pop up at every corner, Kallis represents the crème de la crème of a fast dwindling breed. Kallis is all set to reseme where he left.

In Robin Uthappa, KKR have an opener who has the power and panache to fight fire with fire. With strong arms and deft footwork, Robbie has it in him to carve any bowling on his day. Watch out for this pair, which could be the one KKR is searching for.

#7 Michael Hussey and Aditya Tare

With Rs 5 crore shelled out by the Mumbai Indians to procure his services, Mr Cricket would be keen to repay the faith on him by the bosses. Hussey’s consistent show with the Super Kings’ in the previous seasons make him a sure starter in the Indians’ first choice eleven.

Accompanied by the promising Aditya Tare, Hussey fits in well in the void left by Sachin Tendulkar at the top of the order. The senior statesman is equally capable of scoring at a brisk rate as well as dropping anchor and playing through, if needed.

A steady start at the top will put Mumbai in the drivers’ seat as they have two of the most destructive batsmen in the shortest format to provide the propulsion towards the end; Pollard and the latest kid on the block, Corey Anderson.

#8 Virender Sehwag and Mandeep Singh

Sehwag has looked woefully out of touch in recent times, even in domestic cricket. His hand eye coordination, the cornerstone of his game has waned down courtesy his slowing reflexes. Still, Kings XI owners have invested on him and it is time for the Nawab of Najafgarh to repay the faith.

Does Sehwag have it in him for one final burst in the IPL arena? Only time will tell. Sehwag looks set to be accompanied by Mandeep Singh at the top of the order. The youngster was one of the finest performers of the last season among the younger brigade.

One can also expect Shaun Marsh or Glenn Maxwell to carry out the opening duties as both have shouldered the responsibility in the past, but Marsh thrives at No. 3 (or may not feature in the side at all, with a cap of four on the number of overseas players) whereas Maxwell is more suited for the finisher’s role.