Twitter not happy with Rishabh Pant batting at number 11 in the practice game

Rishabh Pant has been awarded for his sparkling performances for India A during their England tour by the selectors by picking him in the squad for the upcoming Test series. He is a serious talent and should be given more opportunities to prove himself at the highest level. If the ongoing practice game between India and Essex is anything to go by, it seems that he will be benched at least for the series opener at Edgbaston.

The left-hander was sent in to bat at number 11 by the visitors on Thursday which has left the fans fuming. Though he tried to make the most of the opportunity and went on to score 34 runs off just 26 deliveries with 6 hits to the fence. His knock also helped India to post a total of 395 runs after they had lost three quick wickets in the morning after resuming at 322/6.

Pant added 41 runs with Ravindra Jadeja for the last wicket and clearly proved that his selection in the team is not a fluke. As of now, it seems unlikely that he will be included in the playing XI ahead of the Test specialists. But his performance in the practice game should give confidence to the team management that they can hand him a debut later in the series.

Twitter outrage

Rishabh Pant coming out to bat after the likes of Karun Nair and Jadeja didn’t go down well with the Twitterati as they lashed out at the tactics of the Indian team. While many are resigned to the fact that he will only carry drinks during the Test series, few were of the opinion that he should’ve opened the innings instead of Shikhar Dhawan who is not having a great record in overseas Tests.

It remains to be seen if Pant has done enough to don the white jersey for his country on August 1. He has been in amazing form for India A and it will be a bold move from the visitors if he earns a Test cap in Birmingham next week.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Desperately wanted to watch Rishabh Pant bat in this practice match. But the selectors decided to send Nair and Jadeja after the fall of wickets today. Hugely disappointed#ESSvIND

— Sumit Agarwal (@sumit138) July 26, 2018

I'll take Rishabh Pant in my team for the first Test instead of mediocre overseas players like Dhawan and Pujara. These two have been consistently poor away from home, but still tend to be automatic selections in overseas fixtures as well. #ESSvIND

— Wasim Sheikh (@iamwasimsheikh) July 26, 2018

why the hell team manegmant didn't send rishabh pant bat after DK if he supposed to bat he should bat there batting at 11 after jadeja feels like punishment

— Ankit Pandey (@Cricket_Ankit) July 26, 2018

Moron @imjadeja did not let @RishabPant777 score fifty by simply throwing his wicket stupidly. Pant is a serious player who knows how to adapt to the conditions. Well played pant, you deserved atleast fifty.#ESSvIND

— Rajguru S Javalagaddi (@rajgurusj) July 26, 2018

Pant looking great. If India wants extra batsman to play they can add him in place of Nair.
Try him as pure batsman 👍#ESSvIND

— Aalsi ladka….🙇 (@CrickFreak_rd) July 26, 2018

Is this some random confusing trick?

Why didn't Ashwin bat?

If Ashwin plays and not Jadeja shouldn't Ashwin have batted?

If Pant is about to sit out, why not bat Ashwin instead?

If Pant plays, why not bat him above Nair, who'll sit out anyway?#ESSvIND

— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) July 26, 2018

Rishabh Pant at 11 means he won't be in the playing 11 in #ENGvIND#ESSvIND

— urstrulyKajal🇮🇳 (@BanarasiBasanti) July 26, 2018

Rishabh Pant time #ESSvIND

— Bilal 🇮🇳 (@Ahmadbilal111) July 26, 2018

a thought- @imVkohli can look at giving a chance to @RishabPant777 for opening the innings in test matches, the way @SGanguly99 gave a chance to @virendersehwag ….u never know it may work..the way it did in case of sehwag #INDvENG #ENGvIND @Vimalwa

— NakKul Jerath (@nakkuljerath) July 26, 2018

Pant Notout on 34 From 26 With 6 Boundaries #ESSvIND

— Johns (@CricCrazyJohns) July 26, 2018

Rishabh Pant should play ahead of Pujara.
Kohli need to take sme tough calls.

— Adil Maaz (@adilmz12) July 26, 2018

India all-out for 395, Rishabh Pant remains not out on 34, Noice!
Bas 300 test series main bana liya toh Ganga naha lenge😭#ESSvIND

— mayank (@MayankDPatel1) July 26, 2018

Rishabh Pant should have been sent at 6/7.
He is in superb form.

— Adil Maaz (@adilmz12) July 26, 2018

Rishabh Pant us having fun guys!#ESSvIND

— mayank (@MayankDPatel1) July 26, 2018

Pujara should be dropped.
Inform Rishabh Pant has to play.

— Adil Maaz (@adilmz12) July 26, 2018

[interaction id=”5b59a2dedb31a04b8626b66e”]

Keep following CricTracker for more news and updates