Sunil Gavaskar seconded Shane Warne's interesting opinion where former Australian leg-spinner urged India to open with explosive wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and vice-captain Rohit Sharma during this year's ICC Cricket World Cup in England and Wales. 

"I can't see why Rishabh Pant can't play as a batsman. He is outstanding. Maybe even open the batting with Rohit Sharma," Warne had told India Today, "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."

"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 (upcoming series) 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."

While India has enjoyed huge success because of its regular opening partnership of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma since 2013, Gavaskar backed Warne's radical idea by stressing on the need to have a more vibrant and attacking start to the innings. 

"Yes, why not. If you open with Rishab Pant, it opens up a third option for you as well. If he does well at the top, he is someone who can also be played in the middle order," he said. 

"Pant is a left-hander as well. It's important to have a left-right combination going because it does make the bowlers task that much more difficult."

"That's why Rohit-Dhawan have been so successful. So have Sachin-Ganguly and Sehwag-Ganguly in the past. So if Pant succeeds as an opener, that's great for your side."