Finally, Rishabh Pant made his way into the playing XI of the Indian National Cricket Team, especially, in the ICC World Cup 2019. But, Murali Karthik isn’t impressed with the call, as he feels that the Indian team would have considered Dinesh Karthik, who is placed in the team right from the start.
It was a bit of surprise for the fans, as none would have expected Rishabh Pant over Vijay Shankar. Virat Kohli, in the pre-match press conference, had backed Shankar to come up with a good knock soon while asking fans to lend him the much-needed support.
Personally, I am bit surprised –
However, Shankar, who failed to deliver with the bat in the last three games, was replaced by Pant in the crucial tie against the hosts. It comes to know that Vijay Shankar has had a niggle, which made the management to go with the southpaw.
“For me, I would have picked Dinesh Karthik ahead of him. What’s funny is that one day ago Virat Kohli goes that you should give all the support to Vijay Shankar, it won’t be too long before he gets runs and they did the same with Ambati Rayudu as well that he is our nominated number four and then he gets dropped. I don’t think it sends a great signal, personally, I am a bit surprised,” Murali told ESPNCricinfo.
Rishabh Pant hasn’t done anything in ODI – Murali Karthik
Meanwhile, Murali Karthik quoted that the addition of Pant over Dinesh Karthik isn’t the right thing to do. He feels that Karthik deserved the chance and also stated that Rishabh Pant hasn’t done anything great in ODI cricket to be in the team.
“I know he is a flashy player but he hasn’t done anything of repute in ODI cricket and if these are the kind of signals cricketers are going to get then obviously people are going to think that there are more things at play rather than cricket merit alone,” he added.
Well, as Murali Karthik said, the addition of Rishabh Pant over Karthik might send a wrong signal. But, the management might have felt that Dinesh Karthik is the back-up wicket-keeper while Rishabh Pant has been added as the replacement for a batsman.