MS Dhoni gets new ODI opener in Ajinkya Rahane, as Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan also vie for the slots

In Ajinkya Rahane, has Mahendra Singh Dhoni found the much-needed opener that he has been looking for in the ODIs?

The answer could simply be 'Yes'. Especially after Rahane proved himself while opening the innings in the fourth ODI as he steered India to a series win with a beautiful 100-ball 106 at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Tuesday.

Rahane was not only delightful with his sweet-timed strokes in the 121-minute knock but also anchored the chase well, batting intelligently, mixing caution with aggression. He also shrugged off the devil of the last few games where he was accused of throwing away his wicket — playing a loose shot despite setting himself in.

The Mumbai batsman's match-winning century will certainly give his skipper Dhoni a pleasant headache.

Shikhar Dhawan's inconsistency and makeshift opener Rohit Sharma's recent injury has also made the cricket pundits think about Rahane opening the innings for India in ODIs in the future as well. On top of that, next year's World Cup will be played on the difficult bouncy conditions of Australia and New Zealand where only specialists or technically-sound openers can survive. Makeshift or technically unsound openers may struggle in those conditions.

A healthy competition between the three will also raise the bar of their skills, hunger for runs and the urge to be in the playing XI.

Meanwhile, what will work for Rahane besides his his technique is the experience and the talent of batting in the top order in domestic competitions for Mumbai. Be it first-class or List A, Rahane has batted in the top three positions for the domestic giants and has done exceedingly well. In fact, Rahane started his international career as an opener in his first T20 international, scoring a fluent 39-ball 61 against England.

Even in the ODIs, he began as an opener where he did reasonably well, getting three half-centuries in 16 innings including his previous best score of 91 against England in Mohali that won him the man of the match award. However, he lacked Dhoni's confidence, reasons known only to the skipper who did not give him enough opportunities and toyed around with his batting position.

Praveen Amre, under whom Rahane irons out his batting skills, is of the view that his sincere prodigy can bat anywhere. "He is the only batsman in the Indian team who can bat anywhere. As an opener against England, he gave the start that got him his maiden hundred while winning India the game. In England, starts are always a challenge just like in Australia and with the two new ball rules. Only an opener, and that too a specialist, can play those challenging conditions. The way Ajinkya has trained, I think he should play at any number the team wants him to," Amre said.

Amre did not draw himself into the debate whether Rahane should open the innings, but he believed that Rahane has the ability as an opener since he has done it the past. "He has batted at No. 5/6 in Tests and played the second new ball well. He has the technique to play the new ball well. He is capable of batting at ay number. He played all his domestic cricket in the top order and he has delivered in the one dayers and Ranji Trophy," he said.

The former India player felt that Rahane's performance will only make the competition healthy between the Dhawan, Sharma and himself. "The question has come up since Ajinkya has delivered. The important part will be 'who will deliver for us in the future'. It will be good for Team India to have three openers which will present a healthy competition between them and this will help the team."

So, what is it that makes Rahane click? "He keeps it simple. Doesn't take things for granted and takes one tour at a time. He doesn't think too far. Right now, he will be thinking only about England and not the World Cup. The two hundreds that he has got On the tour will boost his confidence," added Amre.