Rating the Indian openers ahead of the 2019 World Cup

Ajinkya Rahane - 8/10

Rahane has become incredibly consistent over the last two years

There is no one questioning Ajinkya Rahane's place in the Test side. He is arguably India's best Test batsman and is first-choice in the middle-order irrespective of the conditions. However, when you turn to the shorter formats, the answer isn't always clear-cut. Rohit and Dhawan are seen as the first-choice openers and Rahane always becomes the bridesmaid.

While there is a right-left combination with Rohit and Dhawan, the numbers aren't as clear cut as some may think, when you look at Rahane and Dhawan in ODIs over the last two years. The right-hander is the back-up opener in ODIs but numbers certainly indicate that he is good enough to be the first choice along with Rohit Sharma.

One of the reasons, long attributed to Rahane's inability to nail a starting spot has been his ability to rotate strike and also score not as freely as modern openers should. However, one look at the numbers since the 2015 Bangladesh series shows that Rahane has not only scored more runs than Dhawan in the same period in ODIs, but also done so at a higher average and only a slightly inferior strike rate.

So, perception is the only thing that is standing in Ajinkya Rahane's path as he looks to cement his place in the side. Given his lack of big-hitting, he isn't as easy on the eye and perhaps that is one of the reasons why he hasn't got a consistent run as opener when both Rohit and Dhawan have been fit.