3 Reasons why Rishabh Pant should open in the ODI series vs Australia

2. To capitalize the Power Play overs

After England’s dismal performance in the 2015 World Cup, a lot of changes were brought by the ECB and one of them was the change in pitches prepared in England for the limited overs format. Since the last few years, some mammoth scores have been made in high scoring grounds of England. In 2018 the English team also recorded the highest ODI score in Men’s cricket after smashing 481/6 in 50 overs against the Australian team. In some grounds like the Trent Bridge, even 350 seemed like a par score in recent times.

In games like these, it’s important to score heavily in the first ten overs when only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle. India can use Rishabh Pant in high scoring matches as an opener to capitalize the power play overs. This can be useful to provide some momentum to the team while chasing big scores in the World Cup.

Also with a free license at the top Rishabh Pant can be destructive with the amount of skill and power the young man possess. He can be the Indian version of the Australian legend Adam Gilchrist and upset the morale of the opposition team by hurting them early in the game.