Rishabh Pant gives a big clue about the playing eleven for the first match

Stand-in skipper Rishabh Pant has indicated the playing XI which will face South Africa on the evening of June 9 in Delhi. Pant was appointed the skipper after KL Rahul was ruled out of the series due to a groin injury. Originally, Rahul was meant to lead the team for the series. The wicketkeeper batter was supposed to be the vice-captain for the team.

This will be the first time the Delhi player will be leading the national team. Previously, he led the home franchise in the Indian T20 League seasons 2021 and 2022. His deputy will be all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who recently led the Gujarat franchise to the title. Meanwhile, on the evening ahead of the first T20I, the left-hander has given a clue about the playing XI.

The former India U19 player said that there won’t be too many changes in the batting order. This means that Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan, who are in the squad, will open the innings. The 24-year-old also said that the team will be discussed after a while.

“I think there would not be many changes in the batting order as KL would have opened. There will be one change for sure, we do not have many openers… You guys can guess. We will discuss the team after some time,” Pant said on the eve of the first T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

On being asked about his batting order, the Haridwar-born player said that his batting order will depend on the conditions and the situation of the game. He indicated that he might play as a floater if required.

“My batting order will depend on the conditions. In these conditions, we can’t have a floating batting line because we play spinners day in and day out.

“But if we need a floating batting line up we will have it,“ he added.

It will be interesting to see how the team plays under Pant