Team India has been having a successful run in the 20-20 World Cup 2022 with their back-to-back victories against Pakistan and Netherlands. The ‘Men-in-blue’ face South Africa next on Sunday in their match. Ahead of the big game, a video of a fan asking Rishabh Pant to open has been going viral on social media.
In the viral video, Pant is seen signing autographs and clicking selfies with fans. However, as soon as the wicketkeeper batter walks away after clicking photographs a fan is heard advising him to open the innings for India. “Bhai opening kar lo India ke kismat badal jayegi,” says a fan to Rishabh Pant.
Watch the video here:
Rishab pant giving selfie requests at the net session in Perth
"Bhai opening kar lo India ke kismat badal jayegi" says a fan to Rishabh Pant #INDvsSA #T20WorldCup??#RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/0fFYycTg1Z
— Pratap Potluri (@waltairblues) October 29, 2022
The Indian opening duo of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul failed to give a blazing start to the team in the all-important clash against Pakistan. While Rohit Sharma returned to form against the Netherlands scoring a magnificent 53 off 39 balls, Rahul once again failed to get going. After his dismal run so far in the tournament, fans have been asking him to be replaced by Rishabh Pant.
In the lead-up to the World Cup, team India had tried Pant in the opening slot but the gamble didn’t pay off. The team management also tried Surykumar Yadav in the opening position in the West Indies tour. SKY managed to score one fifty batting at the top.
Pant has not been able to cement his place in the Indian team in T20Is even after playing 62 matches. He has 961 runs to his name at an average of 24 and a strike rate of 127 scoring three half-centuries in his career.
On the other hand, Rahul has been struggling with the bat ever since his return to international cricket in August. However, he made a good comeback after having a dismal Asia Cup with the bat. He has four half-centuries to his name in the last eight innings in T20I. The star batter is under the scanner for his conservative approach at the top. It will be interesting to see if the team management finally includes Pant in the eleven if Rahul once again fails against South Africa.
