As the ICC takes the World Cup back to the ’92 format with each team playing against the other, count the tactical genius of Shane Warne to come up with a surprise plan for Team India – play Rishabh Pant as an opener!
“There has been talk if Rishabh Pant can play in the side. I think Dhoni and Pant both can play. I can’t see why Rishabh Pant can’t play as a batsman, he is outstanding. Maybe even open the batting with Rohit Sharma. I know Shikhar Dhawan does a great job but Rishabh Pant opening the batting with Rohit Sharma could be pretty cool too for India. Go with some of these X-factor type things and tactical battles, where you surprise the opposition,” Warne told India Today in an interview.
“It could be worth throwing Rishabh Pant at the top of the order for a couple of games and see how he goes. Maybe against Australia now [upcoming series] and experiment and see how he goes for the World Cup. Dhawan may have a role to play somewhere else. But I am really looking forward to seeing what India have because they have a lot of players who can do a lot of roles,” he added.
Warne was unequivocal in his backing of World Cup-winning captain MS Dhoni and his utility for Virat Kohli’s team at the mega event.
“If you are going to win World Cups and I have been in a few and won a few, you need your best and most experienced players to perform. If they perform, you will win the World Cup. So India need MS Dhoni to perform at his best in the World Cup. India need him in the team,” Warne asserted.
Dhoni has settled the debate over his selection with his man-of-the-series show against Australia in the ODI series Down Under. But to those who thought Dhoni’s finishing abilities were on the wane, Warne strongly disagreed.
“Dhoni has always done what is best for the team, whether it is bat at No. 4,5,6. Whatever the state of the game, the match situation, he will adapt. If you need 10 runs an over, he will adapt. He will do it, it’s a proven fact. He doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone. They need him in the team because he will deliver because he is class,” Warne spoke in firm defence of Dhoni.
