Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer believes that the Indian think-tank should try swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant at the top of the order to get the best out of him in T20I cricket.
Jaffer took to his Twitter account, where he wrote, "Indian think tank should think about opening with Rishabh Pant in T20Is. I think that's the spot where he can blossom,"
A breakout superstar in the game's longest format, Pant has thus far failed to nail the middle-order role in international T20s.
Having made his debut for India in T20Is in 2017 following a breakout season for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, Pant has often looked flustered and confused between attack and defence while batting in the middle-order.
In 48 T20Is thus far, the Delhi basher has only managed 741 runs at an average of 23.15 and a strike rate of 123.91 with just three 50+ scores.
Even in the recent five-match series against South Africa, the 24-year-old was a hit and miss in the middle phase of the innings.
A naturally attacking batsman like Pant is ideally suited to bat in the powerplay as the lack of fielding restrictions, and an incentive to go on an all-out attack will likely help him play with a clear mind.
That said, it is improbable that the Indian management is even thinking on those lines, given a glut of opening options that they have at their disposal.
With Ishan Kishan doing well at the top of the order and the likes of KL Rahul on the sidelines due to injury, Pant will have to find a way to succeed in the middle order.
He is the only left-handed option in the Indian middle-order amid a slew of right-handers. His success during the middle-overs could prove to be the differentiator for the Indian team.
Pant will feature in the T20I series against England from the 2nd game, and he will look to carry his form from the Test match into white-ball internationals.