4 times Parthiv Patel opened in Tests for India in the past
When MS Dhoni retired abruptly from Test cricket in Australia in 2014, it was a difficult task for the selection committee to find a like-for-like replacement, both as a batsman and wicket-keeper. Saha was considered the logical first choice, given that he had the safest pair of gloves behind the wicket.
Many eyebrows were raised when Parthiv was picked as the wicket-keeper for the 3rd Test against England in 2016. More recently, he was asked to open the batting against South Africa in the ongoing Test match, but it is not the first time he has opened for India.
Take a look at few of the other instances:
#1 2nd Test, 3rd Innings, India tour of New Zealand at Hamilton, Dec 2002
Surprisingly, he averages 53 while opening the innings against his career average of 31.13. Parthiv’s first ever match as an opener was against New Zealand at Hamilton in 2002. Both the teams were bowled out for under 100 - India made 99 in their first innings, and New Zealand in reply made 94.
A 17-year-old Parthiv was asked to open the innings in hostile conditions to make some quick runs. He didn't last more than seven balls and was dismissed for a duck by Daryl Tuffey. But what was interesting about this match was that Parthiv accepted the responsibility to open an innings in hostile conditions.