Shikhar Dhawan should succeed as an opener, feels Chetan Chauhan

Former India opener Chetan Chauhan feels that Shikhar Dhawan, who made his Test debut in the ongoing Mohali Test match against Australia, should prove to be a successful opener.

"Shikhar should succeed as he is highly talented. He has been playing First Class cricket for over five years and he has been a consistent performer for Delhi, scoring heavily," said Chauhan, who played 40 Tests for India alongside Sunil Gavaskar.

"He has also played for India A and for the Under-25 India team. This is a good break for him and he should make full use of it."

The 27-year-old left-handed opener has stepped into the shoes of city-mates Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, who proved to be an excellent opening pair for India.

Asked about the secret behind Delhi producing so many successful openers, Chauhan said: "There is no specific reason, I guess we know how to tap talent. The infrastructure is the best in northern India and with 110 clubs, which play several tournaments, youngsters come in from other states too."

The Feroz Shah Kotla pitch for the fourth and last cricket Test between India and Australia will be no different from the tracks used in the first three matches. To put it bluntly, the bald track should encourage spin and ensure a decision.

Chetan Chauhan, vice-president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), Friday said they have prepared a typical sub-continental wicket for the March 22-26 match. Batsmen will take the first two days before the spinners start dictating the course of the game.

"It will be a normal Test wicket which should last the full five days and it should deliver a result. We have not left any grass on the pitch and, needless to say, the team winning the toss will naturally opt to bat first," the former India opener told IANS.

"The pitch will have wear and tear after two days, giving spinners a bigger say. But it won't be like the Chennai wicket where it started turning on the first day itself. The pitch will be fresh as only one Ranji Trophy game was played on it."

Asked if any changes by way of facilities for spectators have been introduced, Chauhan said: "There are no major changes to the ground except covering the block behind the pavilion-end sight-screen on the first floor with toughened glass so that the batsmen are not disturbed by the movement behind the bowler's arm.

"Earlier, we used to leave the first four rows of the first floor empty because any movement up there, just above the sight-screen, would disturb the batsmen. Now with this glass, the spectators can occupy the first four rows," said Chauhan.

He added that the ticket sales would likely start March 19.

India currently lead 2-0 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.