Test openers under Sourav Ganguly before the Sehwag -Gambhir era 

Once Sourav Ganguly took over the captaincy of the Indian cricket team, his main aim was to win Test matches overseas. He was keen to have a strong and solid opening combination, which was vital for success. Virender Sehwag was promoted to open against his will initially but he was backed by the team management and he went on to become one of the most feared opening batsmen of all time. Once Gautam Gambhir started partnering Sehwag, Indians looked as if they had found a duo they were searching for.

There were quite a few openers who were considered future prospects but failed to live up to expectations. None of those could cure the persistent headache of the captain or selectors. It was commendable that India managed to perform well in Tests without a settled opening combination. It was difficult to fathom how these players despite their talent could not cement their places.

These are several batsmen who opened the batting for India after Ganguly took over the captaincy. Few partnered Sehwag too. Even Rahul Dravid opened the innings few times but he is widely regarded as one of the best one-down batsman India ever had.

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#1 Shiv Sundar Das

The batsman from Orissa was talked about highly and was certain to be a player to watch out for. He had a compact defence, showed good judgement and looked solid. He was thought of as a potential opener who could counter quick bowlers against whom India had a history of struggling.

However, Das could not back his reputation with enough runs and was slowly shunted out. He played 23 Tests in total and scored two centuries and nine half centuries. He also played for various states in domestic cricket.

#2 Sadaagoppan Ramesh

Ramesh had a good start to his career

The southpaw from Tamil Nadu averaged a healthy 50 in his first few Tests. He was fairly aggressive, had flair and could play the most difficult of bowlers with considerable ease. His debut series against Pakistan in 1999 and the Asian Test Championship Series revealed his skills and temperament.

There was an evident and now widely-known drawback though - lack of footwork. He also could not manage big scores - a trait which an opener ought to have and was overlooked eventually.

#3 Sanjay Bangar

Bangar is now the batting coach of India

Coming into the Indian team after a string of good batting and bowling performances for Railways, Bangar, who played for Maharashtra and Mumbai during his early years, was promoted to open against the West Indies in 2002. The particular series had quite a few opening combinations.

He could not achieve much opening the batting - but his 68 against England at Headingley in 2002 was a notable contribution which laid the foundation for Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly to crack centuries and bat England virtually out of the match.

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#4 Deep Das Gupta

Dasgupta could not make a mark

The wicketkeeper batsman (out of several others) donned the role of opening batsman for a few Tests. His gutsy efforts against opponents like South Africa and West Indies were praiseworthy and he also scored a century against England in 2001.

He too was out of the team soon as India's search for wicket-keepers and openers continued.

#5 Yuvraj Singh

It is surprising to find Yuvi on the list

It is surprising that Yuvraj Singh was also tried as an opener in a format in which he perhaps did not perform up to expectations. This happened against Australia at Chennai in 2004. His two innings yielded 15 runs in total while he managed to stay unbeaten in the second innings.

His talent was evident in One Dayers as he excelled in all the three departments of the game. Overall, lack of consistent performances in Tests resulted in him being overlooked.

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#6 Wasim Jaffer

Te run machine in domestic cricket

This old fashioned run machine in domestic cricket had a sound technique, ability to play long innings and almost everything else a good Test opener ought to have. His drives were pleasing and an average of just over 34 does not justify his talent.

He continued accumulating runs at the domestic circuit and is currently the highest run-getter in Ranji trophy. His conversion rate though appeared to be a problem for the selectors and he was replaced soon.

#7 Parthiv Patel

The young Parthiv lost his place to MSD

A young Parthiv Patel first opened the batting against New Zealand in 2002 and was out for a duck. Even though, a couple of half centuries could not establish his credentials as an opener, he was admired for the mental strength and courage shown.

He also faced some really fast bowlers. His contributions against Australia during India's tour in 2003-04 in the middle order was the highlight of his career. He eventually led Gujarat admirably and continues to fight for the slot of wicket keeper batsman in the Indian team.

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#8 Akash Chopra

Chopra is a commentator now

Another opener who was patient and had the capability to play out the new ball. This helped others to pile on the runs and he partnered Virender Sehwag when India toured Australia in 2003-04.

He was also Sehwag’s opening partner in Multan where Sehwag scored his first triple century. A gradual dip in form led to him being dropped. He is a well known cricket writer and expert now.