Sunil Gavaskar backs Warne’s idea of having Pant as an opener

Tags: ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, India, Sunil Manohar Gavaskar, Rishabh Rajendra Pant, opening

Published on: Feb 15, 2019

India great Sunil Gavaskar has backed Aussie spin wizard Shane Warne’s idea of trying Rishabh Pant as an opener in ODIs to fit him into the World Cup squad

India great Sunil Gavaskar has backed Aussie spin wizard Shane Warne’s idea of trying Rishabh Pant as an opener in ODIs to fit him into the World Cup squad.

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," Gavaskar told India Today.

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

On Shikhar Dhawan, he added, “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.”

The series against Australia will be India's last chance to try out combinations in the build-up to the World Cup 2019. Rohit Sharma is likely to be rested while Virat Kohli could be back.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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