‘Spiderman with Ironman’: Fans flood Twitter with memes as Rishabh Pant opens for India in second ODI
Rohit meme (Image source: Stephenson 2-18)
It is not often that a team like India makes unorthodox decisions. For a while now, India has had a template of playing XI, and they make changes to it only when necessary. In the 2nd ODI against West Indies, KL Rahul came back to the side after missing the first match. But, to everyone’s surprise, he did not open the innings. Instead, Rishabh Pant walked in to bat with Rohit Sharma.
The decision to open with Pant makes sense if they plan to play KL Rahul in the middle-order in the future. Meanwhile, watching Rishabh Pant taking the field with Rohit Sharma gave fans a perfect chance to have some fun on the internet.
While everyone was shocked to see him open, most of them were interested in seeing him take on this new role. “Opening Pair for today’s Match. Rohit Sharma -Ironman Rishabh Pant – Spiderman,” a user tweeted.
Here are some of the best tweets:
Opening Pair for today's Match.
Rohit Sharma -Ironman
Rishabh Pant – Spiderman pic.twitter.com/6J9iVe91Il— Stephenson 2-18 (@stephenson0218) February 9, 2022
Rishabh Pant's opening innings will also test viewer's patience #indvwi
— Krishna Haranath (@iamharnad) February 9, 2022
When you open Cricbuzz & see Rishabh Pant on strike in 1st over#INDvWI pic.twitter.com/7TSEnm58s0
— Rishabh shah (@Pun_Intended___) February 9, 2022
Rishabh Pant is opening for Team India pic.twitter.com/Azc0K7lRvi
— THALAPATHY PRAVIN (@Itz_PravinVJ) February 9, 2022
Rahul Dravid in the dressing room with Rishabh Pant teaching him how to open in International Cricket: pic.twitter.com/cFOT7bNtjT
— Hemant (@Sportscasmm) February 9, 2022
While Pant has not opened the innings in the international games before, he played at this position during his u-19 days. Rahul Dravid was the head coach of the junior team back then, and he might have been the brain behind him opening today as well.
KL Rahul has been seen as the opener for a while now, but his stats in the middle-order have been equally brilliant. In fact, his average playing at number five is more than playing as an opener. He also has a century playing at this position.
Meanwhile, the move to send Pant open the inning didn’t work as he was dismissed for 18. India are 184-5 in 40 overs at the time of writing.
