T20 World Cup 2022: "Pant vs DK is like Ashwin vs Jadeja in overseas Tests" - Twitterati quarrel it out after Team India shuffle wicketkeepers for their final Super 12 match
Team India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant will feature in the T20 World Cup 2022 for the first time after being named in the playing XI against Zimbabwe on Saturday, November 6. The Men in Blue had named Dinesh Karthik as their first-choice keeper across the first four matches of the Super 12 stage.
The Delhi-born player was Team India's go-to prospect when it came to wicketkeeping before Karthik's comeback. The veteran player's exploits in the lower-middle order helped him retain his spot, while Pant's misery and inconsistency in the shortest format did not help his cause.
Despite being the lone genuine left-handed batter in the squad, Pant could not break into Team India's playing XI. He was tested out as an opener in the side's practice matches against Western Australia XI in Perth, but a couple of poor scores meant that Karthik continued to start ahead of him.
There were mixed responses all over Twitter surrounding the inclusion of Pant. While some felt it was long overdue, others felt that such a change did not make any sense going into the semi-finals.
Here are some of the reactions on the social media platform:
Hope Pant bats at 3, if not opener !! twitter.com/gss_views/statโฆ
@CricCrazyJohns Rohit wants to give the game time to pant, an absolutely ridiculous statement, agree your finisher was not up to the mark #INDvsZIM
Please give some batting time to Rishabh Pant ๐
@CricCrazyJohns Pant Gang to DK Gang RN https://t.co/XNw7ADWJ2D
Chaos ahead of knockouts.
The man they trusted for the majority of the tournament shown the way for Pant who had been made to sit out. Helps no one.
Why Rishbab pant gets a game Now, benched him all tournament just to throw him into fire in semis vs big games? If you believed DK was more suited for finishing then u should stick with him till the end or should have backed Pant from beginning. This move makes no sense!
DK out
Pant in https://t.co/E2K9zAiVia
Pant vs DK is like Ashwin vs Jadeja in overseas tests. Experts keep making mistake thinking they compete for the same spot.
@RishabhPant17 https://t.co/1uYipfKSJO
@CricCrazyNIKS pant is big match player. lets hope they persist with him
What is the point of dropping DK now as it adds more pressure on Pant to deliver. If KL is backed why not also DK. #ICCT20WorldCup2022 #INDvZIM #DK
@thebharatarmy @ICC @ZimCricketv @T20WorldCup Rishabh pant ๐๐โค๏ธโค๏ธ๐ฅ https://t.co/2sqMyKrfIx
Rishab Pant In Playing 11
#INDvsZIM #T20WorldCup https://t.co/kX1gBRF1WX
Either Rishabh Pant or Sky batting at no.3 todayโ๏ธ #INDvsZIM
Rishabh pant playing today's match vs Zimbabwe ๐ฟ๐ผ
Meanwhile #Rishabpant fan's ๐ฅณโค
#INDvsZIM #T20WorldCup https://t.co/fkaHyp2FGW
Rishabh Pant's inclusion is the only change for Team India as they choose to bat first
Rohit Sharma won his fourth toss of the T20 World Cup 2022 and opted to bat first in their final group stage encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The Men in Blue have already secured their progress to the semi-finals following the Netherlands' win over South Africa.
India will end up as leaders of Group 1 and face England in the second semi-final should they secure a win over Zimbabwe. If Rohit and Co. lose the contest, they will finish second in the group and face New Zealand in the first semi-final.
Speaking about the wicketkeeper's inclusion in the toss, Rohit said:
"Rishabh is the only guy who hasn't played a game in the tournament. It was important to give him some game time. He hasn't played any games including the practice games."
What do you make of the youngster being part of the playing XI in the dying ambers? Let us know what you think.
Also Read: T20 World Cup 2022: "Yeh ODI WC nahi hai Babar" - Twitterati flabbergasted with Pakistan skipper's batting approach against Bangladesh