Twitter left perplexed as Dinesh Karthik dons the wicketkeeping gloves in Kolkata

The T20I series between India and Windies began in Kolkata today at the iconic Eden Gardens as the hosts took the field without MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. Rohit Sharma is leading the side today as Krunal Pandya and Khaleel Ahmed made a debut in the shortest format. However, after India opted to field first, what left everyone perplexed was Dinesh Karthik donning the wicketkeeping gloves and not Rishabh Pant.

There was always an excitement over MS Dhoni’s replacement behind the wickets as the fans are so used to seeing the veteran doing the job. But many of them were left disappointed to see Karthik taking over. As of now, Rishabh Pant has been tipped to be Dhoni’s replacement in the limited-overs format and even the selectors wanted to test his keeping technique before the 50-over World Cup.

Karthik plucks one out of thin air

While the Eden crowd was expecting Rishabh Pant to take over the mantle from MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik took the gloves which surprised one and all. The chief selector MSK Prasad had earlier said that they were finding the second wicketkeeper for Dhoni and clearly it was regarding the World Cup.

India would want to pick a backup wicketkeeper for the showpiece event and as of now, it seems that Pant is winning the battle. It would’ve been logical to give him a go in the series opener. But the team management opted for a more experienced Karthik which makes things even more interesting now. Both of them are in the frame for the World Cup but none of them has sealed their place yet.

While Karthik failed to impress in the Asia Cup, the same was the case with Pant after making an ODI debut in the recently concluded series. The upcoming six T20Is will decide the eventual winner as only one of them will travel to England.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

you want new wicketkeeper To see in T20 then why Dinesh Karthik do this job where is Pant?? @BCCI @cricketaakash @StarSportsIndia

— harshil (@chokshi28) November 4, 2018

@samiprajguru Sir at not including @msdhoni in t20team, they said its time to let @RishabPant777 Keep wickets. And now @DineshKarthik Is keeping the wickets.

— janmejai singhal (@jaisinghal15) November 4, 2018

If @msdhoni was rested to give @RishabPant777 a go and test him, why isn't he keeping and old horse @DineshKarthik has the gloves.
Not fair to upcoming talent.

— Frustrated Salesman (@salesdiaries) November 4, 2018

By dropping MSD, Indian management investing on Dinesh karthik. Illogical and stupid stuff. #INDvWI

— Akshay Kudyar (@akshay_kudyar) November 4, 2018

#bcci #INDvWI If the team needs a younger wicketkeeper then why they are giving this chance to a player Dinesh Karthik who is only two years younger than Dhoni. What is this?They can give this opportunity to Rishabh Pant. Is this only for throw Dhoni out of T20?@imVkohli @ImRo45

— Vishal Mishra (@VishalM37889612) November 4, 2018

If @DineshKarthik is keeping.. so why @msdhoni has not selected for T20 squad.
Its been said.. they want to give Chance to @RishabPant777 .
WTF !! @BCCI @imVkohli #INDvsWI

— Misal Raj 🇮🇳 (@MisalRaj_) November 4, 2018

Although it was Rishabh Pant who was named as keeper for the T20I, it's Dinesh Karthik who has walked out with the gloves on. Interesting from India. #INDvWI

— Sreshth Shah (@sreshthx) November 4, 2018

Ok so @DineshKarthik who was selected as a specialist batsmen is behind the stumps despite @RishabPant777 playing in the XI and being declared as the wk by the selectors @BCCI #INDvWI

— Sritam Kumar (@SritamKumar) November 4, 2018

If they want to test rishabh pant as wicket keeper than why dinesh karthik is keeping ? 🤔@vikrantgupta73 @cricketaakash @BoriaMajumdar @rawatrahul9

— Aabhas Raj (@msdhoniaddicted) November 4, 2018

If @DineshKarthik is going to keep Wicket in tonight's Match and not @RishabPant777 , Then What's the point of @msdhoni saying that : Rishabh need more exposure to International Cricket. Dropping #MSDhoni is so inappropriate then. @vikrantgupta73 ??#INDvWI #TeamIndia #INDvWIN

— Aditya Saha (@adityakumar480) November 4, 2018

Dinesh Karthik is the keeper for today's match. #INDvWI

— Narendra (@narendra_ti) November 4, 2018

In first T20 Dinesh Karthik is wicketkeeper so what's the motive of team selectors to drop Dhoni if Rishabh pant is not wicketkeeper.We want to see Pant wicketkeeping skills not Kartik @vikrantgupta73 @cricketaakash

— Rohit Agrawal (@agrawalmrohit96) November 4, 2018

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