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Rohit meme (Image source: Stephenson 2-18)
After winning the first ODI rather comfortably, India would want to win the second one-dayer, and win the series. It is to be noted that their vice-captain KL Rahul wasn't available during the first game.
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However, he is back, and has replaced Ishan Kishan in the XI for the second ODI. While everyone were expecting him to open the innings, as he did during the series against South Africa, the team management decided to send him in the middle-order. Thus, it was Rishabh Pant who ended up walking alongside Rohit Sharma at the top of the order.
Despite him being India's designated finisher, the keeper-batter was given the role of an opener this time around. This move took the fans by surprise as well. Thus, what followed was a flurry of memes.
A fan compared the opening duo of the second game to two popular Marvel characters, i.e. Iron Man and Spider-man. This user morphed the picture of the two superheroes, and added Sharma and Pant's faces instead. Several other users began to post memes that were hilarious, to say the least.
#INDvsWI
— Stephenson 2-18 (@stephenson0218) February 9, 2022
Opening Pair for today's Match.
Rohit Sharma -Ironman
Rishabh Pant - Spiderman pic.twitter.com/6J9iVe91Il
#INDvsWI
— THALAPATHY PRAVIN (@Itz_PravinVJ) February 9, 2022
Rishabh Pant is opening for Team India pic.twitter.com/Azc0K7lRvi
#INDvWI #INDvsWI
— Hemant (@Sportscasmm) February 9, 2022
Rahul Dravid in the dressing room with Rishabh Pant teaching him how to open in International Cricket: pic.twitter.com/cFOT7bNtjT
Rishabh Pant - The opening batsman 🧐 #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/iFOs4jbHwA
— Nishant Sharma (@Nishant6862) February 9, 2022
However, an important point to be noted is that the Delhi batter has opened in the past as well. He played at the top of the order during his U19 days, with Rahul Dravid as the head coaching staff of the junior team back then. It seems as if the current felt that Pant could have attacked the opposition, and utilized the powerplay overs.
However, that wasn't the case as he got out after scoring a 34-ball 18, and struggled throughout the innings. The Sharma-led side lost their first three wickets rather early. KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav put together a 91-run partnership before the Karnataka battle was run out for 49.