While international cricket resumed with the England-West Indies Test series earlier this month, Indian cricket continues to be on hiatus amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
But off the field, while in isolation, former and current Indian cricketers are using online platforms to continue connecting with fans.
On Thursday (July 30), ex opener-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra ranked his best Test openers in modern-day cricket.
Speaking on his Youtube channel, Chopra started the topic by citing the examples of former opening greats.
"There was a time when we had very good opening partnerships in World cricket like Gautam Gambhir-Virender Sehwag, Matthew Hayden-Justin Langer, Gordon Greenidge-Desmond Haynes, Alastair Cook-Andrew Strauss and Graeme Smith-Herschelle Gibbs.
"But today's openers are not able to deal with the swinging ball. The new ball is repeated attacking you and you have no answer. That is why we are looking at the opening pairs across the world," he said in his introductory statement.
He then moved on to the active opening pairs and called England's pair of Rory Burns and Dom Sibley "okay", adding that their consistency would be key in future.
“Recently we saw the new opening pair of Rory Burns and Dom Sibley. They seem okay to me, they are doing good currently but we don't know long term,” he opined.
Commenting on South Africa's opening pair Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram, Aakash remarked: "They have been opening for a long time. Elgar even scored quite a few runs in one match in India. They have an average partnership of 12.53, which you can say is absolutely ridiculous, with a highest partnership of 56. Markram has an individual average of 25.6 while Elgar's is 29.3. Obviously when their individual averages are less, the partnership average would also be low."
Talking about the Australian openers Joe Burns and David Warner, Chopra said they have done a "decent" job but it is Warner who has looked susceptible in testing conditions.
"They have actually done a decent job. They have a partnership average of 65.4 with Warner averaging 55.1 and Burns 41.8. So, it's not too bad at all. But are they the best at the moment? Warner coming to India - no way. Burns when he comes, we will see.
"I personally feel that they are doing good but Warner didn't have a good Ashes as well. In challenging conditions, you find Warner slightly wanting and Joe Burns is still too young. Till some time back, Marcus Harris was opening for them," he stated.
New Zealand's Tom Latham and Tom Blundell were the openers who impressed Aakash the most.
"They are good because they average 47.14. And they have scored a lot of runs at home, with the New Zealand conditions being tough. Latham averages 52.9 and Blundell 41.3.
"Blundell also had a very good tour to Australia. We can call this pair fairly decent. Tom Latham has scored runs in India as well while Blundell didn't come here," the former Delhi batsman said.
At last, Chopra shared his two cents on the Indian Test opening pair, Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal.
"It is a new partnership and it is growing. They have done a good job in the limited opportunities. They have an average of almost 70 together with Rohit averaging 73.6 and Mayank 57.3. These are fairly good numbers.
"But what goes against them is that they have not played together outside India. When we went to New Zealand, Mayank had Prithvi Shaw as the partner as Rohit was not there and before that Rohit was not being made to open. Mayank was fairly decent but we have not seen Rohit as an opener overseas," he asserted.
Giving his final verdict, Aakash Chopra listed Lathan and Blundell at the top followed by Rohit and Mayank. Warner and Burns found the third spot.
"I am going with Tom Latham and Tom Blundell as the best opening pair in Test match scenario at this moment."
"At close second I will keep the Indian openers, Rohit and Mayank. I hope that when Rohit goes to Australia now, he will do well, he has got enough experience and not much to prove. The 14-day quarantine will work in everybody's favour because you will befriend the conditions.
"At No.3, I will keep Warner and Burns because Warner I am still skeptical. I like the player but I am not a 100% convinced of him as a Test match opener in challenging conditions," he concluded.
