Champions Trophy has started and with the ball going to seam and swing in the overcast and chilly conditions of England, a team that is off to a good start can surely put an ample amount of pressure on its opposition with their good opening stand. With the likes of big hitters in Chris Gayle, Shikhar Dhawan, David Warner and stroke players like Hashim Amla, Nasir Jamshed and Ian Bell, one couldood knocks in the tournament at the top of the order.
Here we bring to you the openers to watch out for in ICC Champions Trophy 2013.
Ian Bell: Bell would be looking to relish the home conditions especially with his rollicking average of 45.50. He has played some brilliant innings in home conditions and would be looking to make his presence felt in this stiff environment. Bell has most of the shots in his repertoire and could shift gears depending upon the need.
Chris Gayle: He is the leading run-scorer in Champions Trophy with 695 runs under his belt in the “Mini-World Cup”. He has that ability to clear the ropes at his will that makes him the most dangerous as well as reliable player for West Indies. If he stays on the crease for 8-10 overs, then it would be quite hard to stop a hard-hitting batsman of his calibre.
Nasir Jamshed: Jamshed scored back-to-back hundreds against the Indian bowling attack in a bilateral series which gave enough evidence of his calibre. His ability to play the ball in the cover-region and mid-wicket regions with ease makes him an important part of Pakistan team.
Hashim Amla: Amla and consistency are quite synonymous but it’s going to be a test of his dexterity with the bat in this prestigious ICC event. He is one of the classy batsmen of the modern-era and it's his ability to play the role of sheath-anchor that makes him the backbone of the inexperienced batting line-up of South Africa. He had an impressive average of 83.60 while playing in English conditions.
Tilakaratne Dilshan: Dilshan didn’t have a great IPL but that’s a history now and he would be looking to make some significant contribution with the bat. Sri Lankans had always cherished making it big at highest level and with Dilshan in their armoury, they can surely do so. Dilshan has that knack of turning the tables in crunch situations.
Shikhar Dhawan: Shikhar Dhawan had a brilliant start to his Test career when he scored a scintillating century against the Australians in Mohali. Though he isn't new to the one-day squad, his new found confidence along with his strokepaly abilities makes him an important part of the India team. India's fortunes will depend a lot on how he shapes up his innings at the top.
David Warner: Warner would be eyeing to play some brilliant innings especially after his poor run in Tests against India. He is the pocket-size dynamite and can take away the game from any opposition in few overs which makes him the impact player for this tournament. If he gets good support from Watson at the other end, then this duo can surely turn the tables in Australia’s favour.
Martin Guptill: Guptill has shown some good form in the recent series against England and was the leading runs scorer. He has that ability to play the big innings which will surely be helpful for his team and can make significant difference if Kiwi’s middle-order gets in good touch with the bat.
By Amit Chopra
Indian Sports News Network