India have rung a surprise opening the batting with wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant in the series-decider against West Indies on Wednesday at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Pant came out to bat alongside captain Rohit Sharma after the hosts were asked to bat first.
Coming into the 2nd ODI, Rohit Sharma & Co made only one change, bringing in vice-captain KL Rahul in place of opener Ishan Kishan. Incidentally, Rahul missed the first game due to his sister’s wedding.
While it was expected that the Karnataka cricketer will walk out to bat with Rohit at the top, India surprised one and all sending in Rishabh Pant alongside the Indian captain. This is the first time Pant has opened the batting in international cricket.
However, he was a regular opener during the U19 days also opened for India in the U19 World Cup. Meanwhile, the decision certainly shocked the fans, who took to microblogging website Twitter to express their reactions.
Here are some of the reactions:
Whatever the reason is, LOVE the fact that Rishabh Pant is opening the batting. Hopefully he makes it count, nothing like Pant in form right from the start!😍#INDvWI
— Prasen Moudgal (@Prasen_m4299) February 9, 2022
Rishabh Pant opening for India. Wow I’m remember discussing this with @NorthStandGang , let’s see how this goes.
— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5) February 9, 2022
Rishabh Pant opened for India U-19 in the World Cup 2016 and 6 years later he is opening for the first time for India senior team.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 9, 2022
Scratch that… regular selection, but something left-field atleast. Rishabh Pant as opener.
Extra points to Rohit Sharma in only his 2nd ODI as full-time skipper. #IndvWI
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) February 9, 2022
Rishabh Pant back to his u-19 days with him opening. Wohooo. 🔥
— Jaanvi🏏 (@ThatCric8Girl) February 9, 2022
Well well! Rishabh Pant opening the batting. This is some game of musical chairs! #INDvWI
— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7) February 9, 2022
Rishabh Pant! Welcome to the era of Rahul Dravid as coach. 🙂
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) February 9, 2022
I never thought I would be watching Rishabh Pant open in ODIs before Ruturaj Gaikwad.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 9, 2022
Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant opening for Team India
Fans:- pic.twitter.com/WiMRqsaMb7— Ansh Shah (@asmemesss) February 9, 2022
Dhoni did it with Rohit when he showed that he wasn't capable of batting in middle order. Didn't Rishabh Pant almost seal his place at no.4?
Bhai agenda chalaana hai toh logic ke saath chalao naa. https://t.co/RV1xAufU7d
— Jaanvi🏏 (@ThatCric8Girl) February 9, 2022
When you open Cricbuzz and see Rishabh Pant is on strike in 1st over pic.twitter.com/RzTQ7WwXM7
— Rishabh shah (@Pun_Intended___) February 9, 2022
Rishabh Pant opening Today : pic.twitter.com/3ZkWJxUzIC
— Varad Ralegaonkar (@varadr_tistic) February 9, 2022
We always wanted to bat first – Rohit Sharma
The newly-appointed Indian white-ball captain stated that as a team they always wanted to bat first and post a decent total on the scoreboard.
Speaking at the toss, Rohit said:
“It’s going to be a challenging one, we always wanted to bat first, put the score on the board and today gives us a chance. We’re not thinking too far ahead at the moment, if we do the things right, we will always do well and get the runs on the board. One change for us – KL Rahul comes back in place of Ishan Kishan.”
