Rishabh Pant better at No. 3 instead of Virat Kohli?

Everyone has this clear that Rishabh Pant has come a long way. For a return to competitive cricket a few months ago, to getting selected for the T20 World Cup and now the X-Factor.

Mid-way during the IPL, he dismissed a rising challenge from Dinesh Karthik to join Sanju Samson in the wicket-keeper race but even at end of that T20 tournament, it wasn’t clear that he would be batting at No.3 for India in the World cup.

He has been on such a rise that now questions have begun if he should change places with Virat Kohli as an opener. It would be a surprise if India goes that way against Bangladesh on Saturday, but it would be interesting to watch-out for.

If Rishabh Pant opens on a good day, when the openers aren’t separated for a minimum of four-five overs, it will make Virat Kohli stare into middle-over expanse. If the tracks slow up after the powerplay as usual, a freshly-entering Kohli would have to take a few decisions. In theory, he could play the situation, play the ball for around say 30-ball 30 or 35, before he tries to loosen up. The scheme is that his ideal batting will be suitable to negotiate that phase.

But as we saw against Afghanistan on Thursday, Kohli will be in his old batting style. If India are looking to consolidate the phase, then it’s not a problem. But if they think about trying to be aggressive as their objectives have been this tournament, then he might be the right fit there.

The slow tracks need either the outrageousness of Pant, who will contort his body, charge and trust his instincts to make the pitch seem better than it looks. Pant against Pakistan and Briefly against Afghanistan, and on Thursday, Suryakumar showed why he is best No.4 in the world.

Even since he dusted of his slog-sweeps and used them a lot more this IPL, Kohli’s shots against spinners on these tracks are gradually growing. If he is convinced that ball isn’t turning much or if he is really in need to break-out, he can charge the spinners too. As he did once but failed, he also shuffles outside leg to try cut the spinners from the stumps through the off side ring.

The advantage of Pant in powerplay is obvious- potentially more runs in lesser time than Kohli, with the risk of losing him before middle-overs where he has to rise above the sluggy pitch and get quick runs.

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