On Monday, September 12, after Team India revealed their 15-man roster for the next 2022 T20 World cup, former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer offered a novel suggestion and requested that captain Rohit Sharma alter the batting order. Jaffer advised Rohit to bat at number four instead of number three in the batting order.
The former Indian opening batsman recommended that Rishabh Pant start the batting alongside KL Rahul since it is the finest position for the 24-year-old to flourish in the shortest format. Jaffer also cited the 2013 Champions Trophy-winning season of India, in which MS Dhoni elevated Rohit to begin the batting alongside Shikhar Dhawan.
Veteran Test batter Wasim Jaffer tweeted, “I still think opening the inns is where we could see the best of Pant in T20. Provided Rohit is ok to bat @ 4. MS took a punt on Rohit before CT in 2013, and the rest is history. Time for Rohit to take a punt on Pant. KL, Pant, VK, Rohit, Sky would be my top five.”
Due to Pant’s inability to duplicate his performance in other formats in the T20I format, his selection had come under scrutiny. In the shortest format, Pant has played 58 games and has only scored 934 runs, averaging just 23.9. However, India has put its faith in him to perform well in the international competition, and they have good cause to do so given his talent.
When it comes to the team, Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel’s return after missing the Asia Cup due to injury has greatly benefited India. The only additions to the lineup from the group that competed in the continental championship were Avesh Khan and Ravi Bishnoi. The back-up candidates included Bisnoi, Deepak Chahar, Shreyas Iyer, and Mohammed Shami.
