Figure out why Sehwag and Gambhir got the Test axe

Virender Sehwag's axing from the Indian Test team from the ongoing Australia Test series signals the end of an era. He and his opening partner, Gautam Gambhir, who was dropped after the England Tests, were once rated among the leading opening pairs in world cricket, but a poor run with the bat in the last year or so saw them lose their places in the Test team.

They were a regular feature in the Indian team since opening together in 2004, save a few matches when injury or rare loss in form prevented the two Delhi batsmen from opening together.

This happened on 13 occasions since Gambhir’s debut in November 2004.

Virender Sehwag (left) with Gautam Gambhir The most recent instance was the Nottingham Test against England in 2011, when both were injured, forcing Rahul Dravid top open with Abhinav Mukund, and in the entire three-Test series in the West Indies before.

- Is there a way back for Virender Sehwag?

Overall, Sehwag and Gambhir opened in 50 Tests, for an impressive record of 4412 runs, at an average of 52.52, which goes up to 59 in home Tests, while it dips to 42 away from home.

Notably, their performance was way below par since 2011, which forced the team management to look elsewhere and find new openers.

Interestingly, Sehwag's own batting form also suffered in the last few years. Till 2010, he amassed runs at an average of 54.10 in 86 Tests, but since then managed just 916 runs in 18 Tests, at a lowly average of 28.62, which has eventually cost him a place in the Test side.

Rajneesh Gupta presents a detailed statistical look at Sehwag and Gambhir's record:

Sehwag-Gambhir's record as opening pair:

	Mts	Inns	Runs	Best	Avg	100s	50s
Overall	50	87	4412	233	52.52	11	25
Home	30	51	2968	233	59.36	8	17
Abroad	20	36	1444	167	42.47	3	8

Sehwag-Gambhir's record as opening pair since 2011:

	Mts	Inns	Runs	Best	Avg	100s	50s
Overall	15	26	907	134	34.88	1	6
Home	9	14	725	134	51.79	1	6
Abroad	6	12	182	27	15.17	0	0

Sehwag's record with all opening partners:

Partner	Mts	Inns	Runs	Best	Avg	100s	50s
G Gambhir	50	87	4412	233	52.52	11	25
W Jaffer	16	28	1031	213	36.82	3	4
AS Chopra	10	19	897	164	47.21	4	2
M Vijay	8	13	842	221	64.77	3	1
R Dravid	4	5	514	410	102.80	1	0
SB Bangar	7	10	452	201	45.20	1	2
CA Pujara	1	1	57	57	57.00	0	1
Yuvraj Singh	1	2	47	28	47.00	0	0
IK Pathan	1	2	36	34	18.00	0	0
PA Patel	1	1	0	0	0.00	0	0

Gambhir's record with all opening partners:

	Mts	Inns	Runs	Best	Avg	100s	50s
V Sehwag	50	87	4412	233	52.52	11	25
A Mukund	1	1	63	63	63.00	0	1
R Dravid	2	2	41	39*	41.00	0	0
W Jaffer	1	2	25	17	12.50	0	0
IK Pathan	1	1	12	12	12.00	0	0