Rohit Sharma highlights the challenge of finding the ideal batting position for Rishabh Pant - Cricket Winner

India kick-started their T20 World Cup 2024 journey with a convincing victory over Ireland in their debut match. Up next, they face their arch-rivals, Pakistan, in New York on June 9. In the opener, Yashasvi Jaiswal, the premier opener, was left on the bench while Rishabh Pant was elevated to the number four batting position. This tactical alteration in the lineup attracted considerable attention, prompting Rohit Sharma to clarify the rationale behind the decision.

The Indian captain disclosed that despite Pant’s return after a prolonged absence, his stellar performance in the Indian Premier League significantly influenced his selection for the middle-order slot. Sharma emphasized that with the top three batsmen being right-handers, Pant was deemed the optimal choice to boost the run rate from the number four position. He further reassured that Jaiswal remains in contention and pledged to deploy him effectively in forthcoming matches.

Rohit Sharma, as quoted by NDTV Sports, explained his decision-making process regarding Rishabh Pant’s batting position for the World Cup, stating, “Observing Pant’s performance in several IPL matches helped me determine his role in the World Cup. His impressive display during the first half of the tournament left me highly satisfied. Given his exceptional talent, pinpointing the ideal batting slot for him proved challenging. However, with three right-handed openers, deploying him in the middle order is advantageous. Looking ahead in the tournament, the presence of spinners will be significant, and Pant’s aggressive approach against spin will be crucial.”

Rohit believes Jaiswal maintain a well-rounded skill set

Jaiswal emerged as one of the top performers for Rajasthan Royals during the IPL 2024 season. Despite a string of low scores, he showcased his prowess by scoring a century against Mumbai Indians. However, his approach of focusing more on power-hitting rather than timing the ball drew criticism from pundits. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli set to open in the T20 World Cup, Jaiswal appears to have been sidelined from the playing XI.

“Having Yashasvi Jaiswal out of the playing eleven allows him to play with freedom. Over the years, I’ve witnessed his ability to do just that and I’m well aware of his strengths. While there may be some weaknesses, I prefer to focus on his strengths. I believe he possesses a well-rounded game, and I aim to capitalize on that by giving him more opportunities to face deliveries.

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Apart from the openers, no other player’s position is set in stone. We aim to maintain flexibility in our batting order, considering individual preferences and strengths. The captain emphasized that only the openers’ positions are fixed and they aim to remain adaptable with the rest of the batting lineup.”