Former England skipper Michael Vaughan is livid over the omission of young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant. The veteran English cricketer Vaughan was expecting the 21-year-old Pant in Team India’s squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019. However, the team selection didn’t go his way which he has had wished for.
Pertinently, the chief of selectors for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), MSK Prasad alongside interim secretary Amitabh Chaudhary announced the much-awaited 15-member squad for Team India.
Interestingly, Dinesh Karthik has played as the back-up wicketkeeper. Also, KL Rahul has been named as the third opener apart from the preferred choice in the form of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.
Interestingly, Pant has missed the World Cup race with experienced Karthik. Prasad, who himself lauded Pant as a potential and promising prospect believes Karthik’s experience in tricky situations would help the team’s cause.
However, it has irked 44-year-old Vaughan, who has lashed out at Indian selectors for leaving out Pant.
Vaughan himself had an unhealthy record in the white-ball cricket. He has featured in 86 ODIs for England to amass 1,982 runs at an average of 27.1.
“No @RishabPant777 in the World Cup Squad … India must be bonkers !!!!!” Vaughan tweeted.
As of now, Pant has played five ODIs to amass 93 runs at an average of 23.2.
Also, Pant has featured in nine Tests and 15 T20Is for India since 2018.
Apart from Karthik, Ravindra Jadeja and Kedar Jadhav have made it to the squad. Also, MS Dhoni has a major responsibility on his shoulders – to carry the lower middle-order alongside him.
Meanwhile, apart from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has boosted the pace bowling stocks.
With Virat Kohli all set to lead India in England, Rohit will continue to be his deputy in the ODI showpiece. The mega ICC event will run between May 30 and July 14 respectively in the United Kingdom (UK).
Meanwhile, India will kick-off their campaign against South Africa on June 5 in Southampton.
No @RishabPant777 in the World Cup Squad … India must be bonkers !!!!!
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 15, 2019