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After a nail-biting thriller against Pakistan, the Indian team face Sri Lanka in a do or die Super 4 clash at the Dubai International Stadium. Ahead of today’s game, sources have confirmed that Indian wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant is likely to be axed from the India’s playing XI against Sri Lanka.
Pant didn’t have a great performance against Pakistan as he got out on 14 while trying to play an audacious reverse sweep off the bowling off Shadab Khan. The wicketkeeper-batter had played the shot in a rush of blood which was coupled with poor execution. The ball was caught by Asif Ali and Pant was dismissed at a crucial stage of the game.
Several cricketing experts called out Pant’s blunder, including former India opener Gautam Gambhir. The former Indian opener expressed that the reverse-sweep is not a release shot for Rishabh Pant and he should look to play straight down the ground or target the long-on or deep mid-wicket areas.
In an interaction with Star Sports, Gambhir said, “Rishabh Pant will be disappointed because that’s not his shot. His shot is probably hit it over long-on or deep mid-wicket, you end up hitting over there and get out, absolutely you can take it because that’s your strength. Your strength is not reverse-sweeping.”
Gambhir’s Delhi teammate Virender Sehwag stressed on the fact that Rishabh Pant could be dropped from the team for Dinesh Karthik. He said,
“I think there will be one change, they might bring in a finisher. If you have brought in Dinesh Karthik at the age of 37 and given him the job of a finisher, then he should play till the World Cup. Now if the team wants to see a left-right combination or something else, then they have to explore some other options. Ishan Kishan is there on the sidelines, bring him in if required.”
The wicketkeeper conundrum still continues to haunt India as the side has still not zeroed in on the best option for the slot. The musical chairs with Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik still continue.
