“Bro, please open, you will shake Indian T20 cricket” - Robin Uthappa’s advice to Rishabh Pant

Former Indian keeper-batter Robin Uthappa has suggested that Rishabh Pant shouldn’t bat below the No.3 spot in the shortest format of the game. Notably, Pant hasn’t been selected for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Speaking exclusively on his YouTube channel, Uthappa asserted that Pant has not been able to give his best since he got into the car accident in late 2022, adding that the keeper-batter shouldn’t waste his opportunities by batting in the middle order.

"I'm very patient personally with Pant. I still believe that because of that accident (a car crash in December 2022), we've not seen the best of Pant. I feel he's getting there and is building himself. I believe that if he opens or plays at three, we'll see the best of him soon. The spot he's batting at - No. 4 or No. 5, especially in T20s - usse zyaada galat cheez Rishabh nahi kar sakta (Rishabh couldn’t do anything more wrong than this)," shared Uthappa in a video on his YouTube channel. 

Furthermore, Uthappa also shared a piece of advice to Pant, stating that he should open in T20s to shake the Indian T20 cricket. Moreover, he also felt that Pant should give himself the freedom to score quick runs in the power play.

"I was very happy when he was playing at three in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He is such a batter who should get more balls in T20 cricket. He should be given the freedom of the powerplay. I was so frustrated that he was the captain of LSG and batting at five. If this reaches him - Bro, please open, you will shake Indian T20 cricket," he added.

Interestingly, Pant last played a T20I in August 2024, and he has been ruled out of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand after being injured in the optional practice session on Saturday, January 10.

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