The second T20I between India and England got underway at the Edgbaston in Birmingham today, July 9. The fans got to witness wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant in a new role for the Indian team. He walked out to open the batting along with skipper Rohit Sharma in the first innings of the match.
England skipper Jos Buttler won the toss and asked India to bat first. The visitors made four changes to the team. Wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant, who was rested for the first T20I, replaced Ishan Kishan in the playing XI. Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja were the other three inclusions in the Indian team. However, Rishabh Pant opening the innings left the fans stunned.
Rishabh Pant is opening with Rohit Sharma.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 9, 2022
Former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, Wasim Jaffer, and other experts and fans have been calling for Rishabh Pant to open the batting for the Indian team. In the first T20I, Ishan Kishan opened the innings along with Rohit Sharma. However, with Rishabh Pant replacing Ishan in the XI, he also was also sent to open the innings for India.
Let’s take a look at how fans reacted to Rishabh Pant opening the innings for India:
Talked abt Rishabh Pant opening the inning in t20s during INDvsSA series. Good to see that’s happening. Regardless of result it’s a good ploy.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 9, 2022
Pant opening with Rohit.
This is what we want from David & co #INDvsENG— Balu Muralidharan (@BaluMahe) July 9, 2022
Now this is interesting. Rishabh Pant has opened the innings for India, which means Virat Kohli will bat at No.3 again. Virat has really struggled to score in the middle-overs of late. Would have been better to open with him imo.#ENGvIND
— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) July 9, 2022
Rishabh pant opening the innings..brave attempt 😳#ENGvIND
— Existential Crisis 💢 (@urstrulyaadi) July 9, 2022
Pant opening seems interesting, something I like as well. India have used Rahul, Ishan, Hooda, Samson, Ruturaj open in T20I apart from the one confirmed option in Rohit Sharma.
— Sa. Gomesh | ச. கோமேஷ் (@SaGomesh) July 9, 2022
Pant moving to opening should’ve happened after the t20 wc imo . When Rahul comes back he’s gonna bat at 4/5 anyways , playing at 3 and opening isn’t that major of a difference.
— ARJUN (@Arjun__K_) July 9, 2022
BREAKING NEWS:
RISHABH PANT IS OPENING WITH ROHIT SHARMA FOR #TEAMINDIA 🇮🇳❤#ENGvsIND #INDvENG #INDvsENG #ENGvIND #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/J68364kPFE
— THE ROCKSTAR (@VivJonty) July 9, 2022
Rohit approach is looking something different.. Great wayy.. lets see will Pant will Continue the same way or we see something neww #ENGvIND
— Moksh Aggarwal (@MokshAggarwal_) July 9, 2022
India opening a T20 with Pant?! I am LIVIN’. #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/qrl62aVaz7
— Dre Harrison (@Harrison101HD) July 9, 2022
https://twitter.com/BrownTrackitis/status/1545763608918773760?s=20&t=ZvnOmpc7cMrXXGflLvILJA
This is a big positive step…Good Experiment after a long time…Pant opening is a great attacking approach by Rahul Dravid #ENGvsIND @BCCI
— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) July 9, 2022
India drops in-form Deepak Hooda for the second T20I
Batting all-rounder Deepak Hooda has been in terrific form recently for India in the T20Is. In the absence of senior players during the Ireland series, Hooda took up the responsibility and made the most of the opportunity. He was the leading run-scorer in the tournament. Hooda also continued his good form on the England tour. However, he has been dropped from the Indian team, as the senior players are back in the team.
Veteran India batter Virat Kohli replaced Deepak Hooda in the team for the second T20I. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja came in for Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, and Arshdeep Singh. The Indian team is leading the three-match T20I 1-0 after a brilliant win in the first T20I.
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