"Such An X-Factor": Ex India Cricketer Baffled By Rishabh Pant's Exclusion vs Pakistan

31.08.2022 - 11:27 sports.ndtv.com

Rishabh Pant could not find a place in the playing XI as India beat Pakistan in a low-scoring thriller in their Asia Cup clash on Sunday.

The wicketkeeper-batter was left on the bench with KL Rahul returning to the side, while Dinesh Karthik was handed the responsibility behind the stumps.

Former India player and selector, Saba Karim, said that it seems like there is no place for the flamboyant southpaw in India's playing XI at the moment, but was left wondering why the management would leave out an "X-Factor" player like Pant. "I think at least for the Asia cup, the Indian team management seems to have decided to have Dinesh Karthik and that is why they want to utilise Ravindra Jadeja as a floater.

So, we saw him going up the order at number 4 in the last outing and we may see that happen more often as the game progresses because Jadeja brings a different kind of dimension," Saba Karim told Sports18. "Also, he's become such a mature left-hand bat who can bat up the order at number 4 or number 5 and if there's an opportunity, he can also come down the order and score quick runs.

cricket India Cricket Team 2022 Rishabh Pant India Pakistan

Former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria feels that BCCI made Sanju Samson the captain of India A team for its unofficial ODI series against New Zealand due to the pressure built over them for not selecting the player for the upcoming T20 World Cup. It is worth noting that wicketkeepers Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik got a nod ahead of Samson in the 15-member Indian squad, while the 27-year-old youngster even failed to get a spot in the reserves. He will now be leading India A against New Zealand in a three-match series.

"His Downfall Is Too Many...": Ex-Pakistan Captain On Rishabh Pant's T20 Struggles

Rishabh Pant has been chosen as one of the two wicketkeepers in India's 15-member squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup, along with Dinesh Karthik. However, the young left-hand batter's T20 form has not been great of late. In the recently concluded Asia Cup, his scores read 14, 17 and 20*. He has a career strike-rate of 126.21 and average of 23.94 in 58 T20Is. His below-par recent T20 form has led many experts to back Dinesh Karthik in the XI. Former Pakistan cricket team captain Salman Butt had an interesting take on Pant's regular failures in T20Is.

Irfan Pathan Suggests India Playing XI For T20 World Cup Opener Against Pakistan, Omits Young Star

After the BCCI selectors announced a 15-member squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup, all eyes are on the potential playing XI when the Indian cricket team starts its campaign against Pakistan on October 23. With the Indian squad bearing a tried and tested look, all the named players have enough experience on their side. So, picking a perfect XI might be a difficult job for the team management. Former Indian cricket team player Irfan Pathan has given his take on the ideal playing XI and has omitted wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant from it.

Wasim Jaffer Invokes MS Dhoni As He Asks Rohit Sharma To "Take A Punt" On Rishabh Pant

The Indian squad for the ICC T20 World Cup was announced on Monday and there wasn't any major surprise in the selection. There has been a lot of talk about the way India should bat when setting a target and several former players have been expressing their views on India's batting order. The latest to join the bandwagon is former India opener Wasim Jaffer.

"Would Play Both Rishabh Pant And Dinesh Karthik": Sunil Gavaskar On T20 World Cup Playing XI

India's T20 World Cup squad was announced on Monday and both Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik found a place in the 15-member squad. After the announcement, Dinesh Karthik took to Twitter to say that "dreams do come true." Now, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has said that he would play both Pant and Karthik in his playing XI for the upcoming World Cup, and he gave the reasoning, saying risks need to be taken if you want to win a marquee event.

"Rishabh And DK Need To Play": Cheteshwar Pujara On India's Team For T20 World Cup

While there has been a raging debate about who should play for India between Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik in the T20I team, Cheteshwar Pujara said that ideally both wicketkeepers should make the playing XI come the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. While Dinesh Karthik, picked to play the finisher's role, barely got a chance to bat in the Asia Cup, while Rishabh Pant could not impress when he did get to bat. But Pujara still thinks that Pant should be in the middle order, with Karthik continuing as finisher.