‘It would be pretty cool’ - Shane Warne wants Rishabh Pant to open innings with Rohit Sharma

[saik]

Legendary Australia cricketer Shane Warne has backed Indian wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant to seal his place in the team’s squad for the ICC World Cup later this year. Warne feels that Pant can play solely as a batsman considering MS Dhoni still taking up the wicket-keeping duties.

Warne went a step further and stated that Pant can open the innings with Rohit Sharma despite Shikhar Dhawan being the trusted partner of the Indian vice-captain at the top of the innings.

“There has been talk if Rishabh Pant can play in the side. I think Dhoni and Pant both can play. I can’t see why Rishabh Pant can’t play as a batsman, he is outstanding,” Warne was quoted as saying by India Today.

“Maybe even open the batting with Rohit Sharma. I know Shikhar Dhawan does a great job but Rishabh Pant opening the batting with Rohit Sharma could be pretty cool too for India. Go with some of these X-factor type things and tactical battles, where you surprise the opposition.”

Also Read: Chief selector MSK Prasad reveals India’s most important player for 2019 World Cup

Warne also said that India could tinker with their top-order in the forthcoming series against Australia. Australia’s leading wicket-taker in Tests feels that Pant should be given a chance at the top against Aaron Finch’s troops.

“It could be worth throwing Rishabh Pant at the top of the order for a couple of games and see how he goes. Maybe against Australia now and experiment and see how he goes for the World Cup. Dhawan may have a role to play somewhere else. But I am really looking forward to seeing what India have because they have a lot of players who can do a lot of roles,” Warne said.

India are scheduled to play two T20Is followed by five ODIs against Australia between Feb 24 to March 13. The first T20I will be played at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, in Vizag.

 

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/it-would-be-pretty-cool-shane-warne-wants-rishabh-pant-to-open-innings-with-rohit-sharma/story-6ymyU3S4Ws0Ks4BuO6vjUJ.html

[Straight Drive]

Can continue with Sharma and Dhawan. Wickets likely to be batsman friendly and swing might not be much. Kohli will be back too. Those top 3 are tried and tested and is probably  the best top 3 amongst all ODI teams.

[Straight Drive]

Major changes should be done after the WC only though depending on how it goes. 

[sergio04]

Rohit should be dropped

useless player.

[bowl_out]

Rest Rohit.. 

Open with Dhawan and Pant in the Aus T20 and ODI series.. If Pant does well, take him to England as the backup opener..

[jusarrived]

finally someone 

[Ankit_sharma03]

Would love to see Rahul n Pant opening the innings Against Aus in upcoming series since their is a talk of resting both openers

[zen]

Warne read this: 

 

 

 

[GolGappe]

Has Dhoni announced publically that he will step away from international cricket after 2019 world cup?

Give that every third ad during cricket matches features Dhoni, I still can't imagine him walking away.

 

If India does well in the world cup, he could stick around for little bit longer like Tendulkar did after 2011 glory.

[vvvslaxman]

In T20 definitely it is a given. Playing Dhawan and Rohit up the order means we won't score like 70 runs in 6 overs on flat road.

[jf1gp_1]

Even i want maxwell to open. He will bring x factor at top. Please suggest that to aussie team.

[sandeep]

6 hours ago, jusarrived said:

finally someone 

Warnie also wants Darcy Short to open for Australia in test cricket, and wants Stoinis in the team at #5.  

 

He's not the best "analyst" to quote in support of your argument.

[Temujin Khaghan]

The only useful thing that dhawan does with his existence is create a tempo for India in the power play in odi cricket.