T20 World Cup 2024

Rohit Sharma drops big hint on Rishabh Pant’s selection for semi-final of 20-20 World Cup 2022

Team India will be locking horns against England in the second semi-final of the 20-20 World Cup 2022  on November 9, Thursday, at Adelaide Oval. The match promises to be a mouth-watering affair as two powerhouses of white-ball cricket will fight for the coveted spot in the final. Considering the short boundaries at Adelaide, there have been widespread talks about including Rishabh Pant in the playing XI to take down the opposition spinners.

Ahead of the all-important clash, Indian Captain Rohit Sharma gave his insight on the Karthik-Pant conundrum. Sharma highlighted that Pant was the only guy on the tour who didn’t get to play on this tour and hence was given some game time ahead of the semi-finals.

“Between DK and Pant, I had just during the last game as well, Pant was the only guy who did not get to play on this tour at all except the two games we played at Perth. They were unofficial practice games but since then he has not had a hit. He was missing game-time, so we wanted to give him time and have some options as well if we want to make changes in the semi-final or final,” said Rohit during a pre-match press conference.

Indian skipper further said that both Karthik and Pant will be in contention for the selection in the semi-finals.

It will be unfair to bring a guy out of nowhere: Rohit Sharma

“It will be unfair to bring a guy out of nowhere and make him play the game, so that was the thought. But again, we have told the guys that everyone needs to be ready for whichever game they play, whether it is the semis or league games. It was a little tactical as well considering we did not know which team we would play in the semi-final before that Zimbabwe game,” the Indian captain said.

“We wanted to make sure to give the left-hander an opportunity to counter those spinners who bowl in the middle. But again, what is going to happen tomorrow, I cannot tell you know but both of those keepers will be in play for selection,” he added.

Dinesh Karthik has failed to impress in the tournament so far as he couldn’t finish the game against Pakistan and didn’t give support to Suryakumar Yadav against South Africa when India were 49/5. On the other hand, Pant after scoring just 3 in the game against Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, the first semi-final of the 20-20 World Cup will be played between Pakistan and New Zealand at Sydney on Wednesday.