The 2nd One Day International (ODI) match between Team India and West Indies has begun in Ahmedabad as India spring a surprise by opting to promote wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant to open the inning, in the presence of KL Rahul.
The Rohit Sharma led Indian cricket team is currently leading the 3 match series over the West Indies team after having won the 1st ODI pretty convincingly at the very same venue.
A win to today for India and the series will be sealed here in today itself. But it was Nicholas Pooran, instead of Kieron Pollard, as tha stand-in captain, won the toss and opted of bowl first.
And as the Indian batsmen walked out to open the inning, there was the surprise for the fans from the Indian team’s end as it was wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant, who normally plays in the middle-order, walked out alongside Rohit Sharma to open the inning.
Fans as well the cricket experts and commentators were pretty surprised to see Rishabh Pant walk out alongside Rohit Sharma, even though KL Rahul, who replaced Ishan Kishan, has returned to the team as a normal opening batsman option.
Still India played a card here as probably the West Indies also hit by the decision from the Indian team. Rishabh Pant do have experience of opening when he was playing for the India U19 Team.
India vs West Indies 2nd ODI
As for how the match has started, India have already lost the wicket of Rohit Sharma inside the first 3 overs as India captain handed a catch to Shai Hope off the ball from Kemar Roach.
Rishabh Pant is on the crease alongside former skipper Virat Kohli as of writing this, with India score at 27 runs after 8 overs.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to Rishabh Pant opening for India in 2nd ODI
Stop what are you doing right now..
— Rishabh Pant Trends™ (@TrendsRishabh) February 9, 2022
Rishabh pant is opening for first time 🔥@RishabhPant17 #RP17 #INDvsWI #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/3A3SzQc5n7
🔹One-handed sixes
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) February 9, 2022
🔹Commentary from behind the stumps
🔹Opening for #TeamIndia
⬆️ Rishabh Pant’s CV! We will keep updating this one 😉#INDvWI #CricketTwitter
I never thought I would be watching Rishabh Pant open in ODIs before Ruturaj Gaikwad.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 9, 2022
Rishabh Pant came out to open the innings along with Rohit Sharma 😳.
— Lucky ❤️✨ (@LBerojya) February 9, 2022
That’s the new era we all were talking about 💙. #INDvWI #INDvsWI
#RishabhPant opens for India first time…. Under19 days recalled his fastest fifty as opner#INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/BOy2L5TdRx
— Cricket KL Siku (@KL_Siku_Kumar) February 9, 2022
Rohit sharma to West indies team#pant #RishabhPant #RohithSharma #Rahul #INDvsWI #opening pic.twitter.com/W7z8OukcK9
— RAJVEER SINGH (@Sawai807) February 9, 2022
