With the T20 World Cup just around the corner, the Indian cricket team is busy strategizing and finalizing their playing XI. One of the biggest debates among fans and experts is whether Rishabh Pant should open alongside Rohit Sharma for team India in the upcoming tournament. While some believe that Pant’s explosive batting style makes him a perfect fit for the opening slot, others argue that his inconsistent form and lack of experience as an opener could be a risk. Let’s take a closer look at Pant’s overall stats as an opener and analyze whether he can be a reliable opener for team India in the T20 World Cup.
Rishabh Pant has been a sensation in the Indian cricket team ever since his debut in 2017. Known for his aggressive batting and fearless approach, Pant has established himself as one of the most promising young talents in the world of cricket. However, his journey as an opener has been limited, with most of his appearances coming in the middle order. In fact, Pant has only opened the innings in 11 T20 matches, out of which he has scored 282 runs at an average of 28.20 and a strike rate of 144.61. While these numbers may not seem impressive, it is important to note that Pant has been given limited opportunities to prove himself as an opener.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pant has been a regular opener for the Delhi Capitals and has been quite successful in that role. In 69 IPL matches, he has scored 2079 runs at an average of 35.68 and a strike rate of 151.97. These numbers are a testament to Pant’s ability to dominate the opposition from the very beginning of the innings. Moreover, his strike rate of 151.97 is the highest among all Indian players who have opened the innings in at least 50 IPL matches. This clearly shows that Pant has the potential to be a game-changer at the top of the order.
Apart from his IPL performances, Pant has also opened the innings for India A and has been quite successful in that role. In 9 matches, he has scored 345 runs at an average of 43.12 and a strike rate of 135.82. These numbers are a clear indication of Pant’s adaptability and his ability to perform under pressure. Moreover, his strike rate of 135.82 is the highest among all Indian players who have opened the innings in at least 5 List A matches. This further strengthens the argument that Pant can be a reliable opener for team India in the T20 World Cup.
Another factor that works in Pant’s favor is his current form. In the recently concluded IPL, he was the second-highest run-scorer for the Delhi Capitals, scoring 343 runs in 14 matches at an average of 31.18 and a strike rate of 130.06. He also played a crucial role in India’s historic Test series win against Australia earlier this year, scoring a match-winning 89* in the fourth Test. This shows that Pant is in good form and can carry his momentum into the T20 World Cup.
Moreover, Pant’s aggressive batting style can provide the much-needed impetus to team India’s innings in the powerplay overs. With Rohit Sharma at the other end, who is known for his ability to score big runs, Pant can play freely and take the attack to the opposition. This can put the opposition under pressure and give India a strong start, which is crucial in T20 cricket.
However, there are some concerns regarding Pant’s inconsistency and lack of experience as an opener. In the limited opportunities he has got, Pant has failed to make a big impact as an opener. Moreover, he has a tendency to throw his wicket away after getting a good start, which can be a cause of worry for team India. Additionally, Pant’s inexperience as an opener in international cricket can be a risk, especially in a high-pressure tournament like the T20 World Cup.
In conclusion, Rishabh Pant has the potential to be a successful opener for team India in the T20 World Cup. His explosive batting style, current form, and adaptability make him a strong contender for the opening slot. However, his inconsistency and lack of experience as an opener cannot be ignored. It will be interesting to see whether the Indian team management takes a gamble and gives Pant a chance to open alongside Rohit Sharma in the T20
