'Destroyer is back' - Social media elated with Rishabh Pant's inclusion for Hong Kong clash

India takes on Hong Kong in their second match of the 2022 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in a bid to seal their spot for the Super 4 stage. While Hong Kong won the toss and put India to bat first, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma announced a massive change, resting Hardik Pandya for the game as wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant makes his return to the team after missing the high-profile clash against Pakistan.

The social media is elated as they finally got their wish fulfilled after Rishabh Pant finds himself in the starting XI following his controversial omission in the first match. The explosive batter was on the sidelines in the first match, much to the dismay of the Indian fans. The southpaw will be hoping to grab this opportunity with both hands and throw his name into consideration for the upcoming games.

Hardik Pandya, who played a scintillating knock with the bat to take India home in a thrilling finale against arch-rivals Pakistan in India's opening fixture, has been rested for the game against Hong Kong. Rohit Sharma stated that the all-rounder is invaluable for the team, and that is why the management wants to provide him with ample time to recover for the Super Four games.

The mantra on the Dubai pitch has been to bowl first as the teams in the two matches at the venue so far have won by chasing. The Indian skipper also stated that he would have opted to bowl first in order to utilize the tinge of grass on the surface. He emphasized the need to play good cricket irrespective of the opponents in front of them.

"We were going to bowl first as well. Looks like an even covering of grass and we need to bat well to get to a good score. We just want to continue to do what we are doing as a team. We don't want to look at the opposition and play good and hard cricket. We need to do our basics right, which is what got us a victory against Pakistan. One change: Hardik is rested considering how important he is for us, Pant comes in," the Indian skipper said in the aftermath of the toss.

Meanwhile, here's how Twitter reacted to Rishabh Pant's inclusion in the line-up: 

Nikkhil Chopraa is happy to see Rishabh Pant back in the Indian playing XI on '@batbricks7 Presents Run Ki Runneeti'.#CricTracker #Batbricks7 #INDvHK #NikkhilChopraa pic.twitter.com/E2YHa3g34R

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) August 31, 2022

Gautam Gambhir said, "if you're playing Rishabh Pant then it should have been in place of Dinesh Karthik. If you're resting Hardik Pandya then Deepak Hooda should have played".

— CricwormAnna (@CricAnna2) August 31, 2022

Mere ko to aisa dhak dhak horela hai:")#IndvsHkg #AsiaCup2022 #klrahul #RohitSharma𓃵 #ViratKohli #RishabhPant

— Adrika (@AbIsWasAb) August 31, 2022

welcome back #RishabhPant #AsiaCup2022 #INDvHK

— Nur khan (@Nurkhan52473535) August 31, 2022

#RishabhPant Power 💥🔥
King Roars Today 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RtEFcjsVds

— Rohit Jeet Choudhary (@BeingRohitJeet) August 31, 2022

#RishabhPant is back 🥳#INDvHKG pic.twitter.com/UvZ7RJEErc

— Tarak JP 💥 (@tarak_jp_) August 31, 2022

Rishabh is back in playing XI❤❤ #RishabhPant #IndvsHkg

— Anvi (@anvi_writes) August 31, 2022

Spider Man is back 🇮🇳❤#AsiaCup2022 #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/R9fE5tEzni

— Shamsi (MSH) (@Shamsihaidri1) August 31, 2022

Destroyer is back 🔥🔥🔥
R.Pant is Playing..... Today #INDvHKG #Pant #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/qRzdSxFlfs

— Yashrajsinh17 (@Yashraj86007941) August 31, 2022

Rishabh Pant is in . Show who you are I believe in you and I know many of us believe in him , let's support him guys🥺❤️#RishabhPant #INDvsHK #ViratKohli

— Aarush Sharma (@aarush_sharmaaa) August 31, 2022

#TeamIndia in the 11

Only 1 change #RishabhPant Comes In Place of #HardikPandya #RishabhPant Tell to all those today Who are saying that You are not worth in the 11 #show them Who is the #Biggest Match winner In the SQUAD ! #AsiaCupT20

— || Vivek || (@ImVIVEK0717) August 31, 2022