Rishabh Pant has made remarkable progress. After returning to competitive cricket a few months ago following an 18-month hiatus, he has been selected for the T20 World Cup and is now considered an unorthodox X-factor at the No. 3 spot.
During the IPL, Pant overcame a strong challenge from Dinesh Karthik to join Sanju Samson in the wicket-keeper race. However, even after the T20 tournament, it wasn’t certain he would bat at No. 3 for India in the World Cup.
Pant’s rise has sparked discussions about whether he should replace Virat Kohli as an opener. Although it’s unlikely India will make this change against Bangladesh on Saturday, it’s an interesting idea to explore.
Both batsmen’s relative weaknesses make them suited for the top order. Pant’s lower-order record isn’t impressive, despite his aggressive style, and Kohli is generally not seen as ideal below No. 3.
The challenge is to maximize their potential, especially in the sluggish conditions seen in the tournament so far. If Pant opens, and the openers stay together for at least four to five overs, Kohli will face the middle overs. If the pitch slows after the powerplay, Kohli might need to adapt his game, possibly playing more conservatively before attempting bigger shots. His technically proficient batting could be advantageous in this phase.
However, as seen against Afghanistan, Kohli’s old batting style may not be effective in such conditions. If India wants to be aggressive, Kohli might not be the best fit there. Pant’s unconventional style or Suryakumar Yadav’s intelligent shot selection might be better suited for sluggish tracks. Both Pant and Suryakumar have shown their capabilities, with Pant excelling against Pakistan and briefly against Afghanistan, and Suryakumar demonstrating his skill as the best No. 4 in the world.
Kohli’s attacking options against seamers are limited to charging and smashing through the line or swatting to the on side. His break-free shots against spinners have improved, especially his slog-sweeps seen more in the recent IPL. He can charge spinners or attempt other shots, but Pant and Suryakumar have a wider range against spin.
Pant as an opener could yield more runs quickly, but with the risk of losing him before the middle overs where he could excel. Kohli, trying to adapt his powerplay game through the IPL, could also be effective if his approach works. Kohli’s moves against the new ball are more predictable, but he has been trying to be more aggressive, though with mixed results.
In summary, the decision between Pant and Kohli for the opening slot involves balancing their strengths and weaknesses, particularly in adapting to the pitch conditions and maximizing their impact on the game.