‘I can’t believe my eyes: As Rishabh opens in ODIs, said someone on social media. Rishabh Pant is a name that is associated with words like powerful, courageous, fearlessness and brave. He is someone who excites the audience whenever he comes on the field. Be it the way he smacks the ball out of the park or his stunts behind the stumps. Pant has always been entertaining. Today he was given a new role as an opener. Rishabh opened the batting with Rohit Sharma in the 2nd ODI between India and WI. Let’s look at the whole picture behind why Rishabh opened alongside Rohit in the 2nd ODI.
Why did Rishabh open?
Rishabh Pant opened the innings in the 2nd ODI following Ishan Kishan’s exclusion from the playing XI as KL Rahul returned. Shikhar Dhawan was set to open the innings with Rohit Sharma, but unfortunately COVID struck him. KL Rahul missed the first ODI, Ishan Kishan was called as a back up opener and opened the innings with Rohit in the first ODI, he did decently well. But then in the 2nd ODI, KL Rahul returned from his break and was an automatic addition to the squad. This meant one player had to be dropped in order to make way for KL and unfortunately Ishan was dropped from the playing XI, Rishabh Pant was sent to open the innings and KL Rahul was sent in the middle-order.
Twitter reactions as Rishabh opens
However, this was a make shift arrangement, not a permanent thing as Shikhar Dhawan will be back to open the innings with Rohit Sharma in the 3rd ODI. Pant did not have a great outing as an opener but to remind everyone, this was not the first time Rishabh Pant opened in an innings. He was the opening batter in India under-19 but this time Pant managed to make just 18 runs. Social media was filled with mixed reactions. Here are some:
Also read – Who Won Man Of The Match (MOM) In IND Vs WI 2nd ODI, Today?
