Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator, Sanjay Manjrekar, was highly impressed with Team India’s move to play Rishabh Pant as an opener in the second T20I against England on Saturday (July 9).
Pant scored 26 runs off 15 balls while opening for India, as the tourists went on to win the match by 49 runs in the second T20I to take a 2-0 lead in the ongoing three-match T20I series.
Manjrekar said he has already started to imagine the left-hander opening for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022.
Sanjay Manjrekar said on Sony SIX: “The fight for the spots in the middle…it has made that easier. Rishabh Pant is out of that race now. He goes at the top and some people can breathe a little easier now. Suryakumar Yadav played today in the middle-order because Pant could open, otherwise, it would've been difficult for him.”
The commentator continued, “This is a guy who has succeeded at the Test level, so he has that quality. He plays the new ball well. I can just imagine Rishabh Pant on a big stage (against) a quality bowling attack (like) a T20 World Cup semi-final. He will be able to survive that. He has done it before on the big stage. The possibilities are endless.”
He also feels Pant opening the batting makes life a little difficult for KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, but said he should continue playing as an opener for India in T20I cricket.
Manjrekar further explained: “India have taken out an audacious, brilliant talent that was a little stifled at no.4 and 5 and they have set him free. So, I'm very excited about that possibility. Yes, it makes life a little difficult for KL Rahul who might have to bat at no.3.”
He signed off by saying, “Virat Kohli's life becomes even more difficult, now that Pant is out there. You can't imagine Pant being a one-match wonder. You expect him to carry his form just like Tendulkar does.”
(With Sony Six Inputs)
