Twitter wants Rishabh Pant in India’s World Cup squad after his 21-ball 49 against SRH

Rishabh Pant made his ODI debut last year against Windies and hasn’t been able to grab the opportunities he’s got ever since. In India’s last ODI series against Australia, Pant was picked ahead of veteran Dinesh Karthik. However, he couldn’t step up and deliver after coming to bat in scenarios where the Men in Blue found themselves in a significant amount of trouble.

Pant was also pretty below par with his wicketkeeping skills. Last month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named a provisional Indian 15-man squad for the World Cup and Pant couldn’t find a place in the team. Karthik was chosen as MS Dhoni’s backup for the keeping role. Nevertheless, the young turk has been impressive in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League.

A decent outing for Rishabh Pant in the Eliminator

The southpaw is plying his trade for the Delhi Capitals (DC) and has thus far notched 450 runs in 15 matches at an average of 37.50 with a top score of 78 not out against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Yesterday, he played a masterful knock under pressure that helped his team beat the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Eliminator in Vizag.

The knock helped DC progress to the Qualifier 2 where the team will play the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 10, Friday. Coming to bat in a pressure cooker situation, Pant churned out 49 off 21 with two fours and five sixes, and got the Capitals within touching distance of a victory. He got out in the penultimate over as he went for an ugly hoick off Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

In the 18th over, Pant picked the bones of Basil Thampi, scoring 21 runs off five balls to make DC the favourites. In the meantime, Twitter wants Pant to be included in the World Cup squad after the knock at a crucial juncture versus Kane Williamson and Co.

Here is how the fans vouched for Pant:

How is @RishabPant777 not in the World Cup squad …… Pretty sure #India still have time to change …….. !!!!! #Bonkers #IPL19

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 8, 2019

How is @RishabPant777 not in India’s Wcup squad?!!! Heck of a talent…& game changer of serious note! 👊🏻💥👏 #special #IPL #entertainer

— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) May 8, 2019

Why is Rishabh Pant not in the squad for the World Cup? You there? @RaviShastriOfc @imVkohli

— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) May 9, 2019

That's why Rishabh Pant is a must in World Cup. Has an 'X' factor. Mind boggling audacity, swag & exuberance. Dhoni must play as a wicketkeeper. Pant can easily be qualified as a specialist batsman. Need him at no.4 or 5.. @BCCI #DCvSRH #IPL2019

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) May 8, 2019

Do we still have time to change the world cup squad? Awful to not have Rishabh Pant in such terrific form. #WorldCup2019

— Praveen (@itsdemo) May 8, 2019

I wonder if @BCCI made a mistake by not selecting Rishabh Pant for the upcoming World Cup.

He really does have the X factor. #SRHvDC

— Prayag Hegde (@iPrayag) May 8, 2019

@imVkohli Please reconsider and take Rishabh Pant to world cup 2019. @RaviShastriOfc @BCCI @msdhoni 🙏

— Anuj Rohtagi (@anujrohtagi) May 9, 2019

Kya jadhav ki jagah rishabh pant ko jagah milni chayie World Cup me.

— Bharat Kalor (@BharatKalor2) May 9, 2019

What an innings from Rishabh Pant … He deserves to be in the world cup squad…. Age is his side, so definitely going to play in the coming days

— Iamsubbu22 (@iamsubbu22) May 9, 2019

Someone get Rishabh Pant a packet of Britannia biscuits so that he can go to the World Cup 🙏🏻🙏🏻#DCvSRH

— Rohit Bagrecha (@Rohit_Bagrecha) May 9, 2019

Unfortunately Rishabh Pant is not selected in World cup team. 😎😎 @BCCI

— Mahesh Aswani (@MaheshAswani10) May 9, 2019

@sardesairajdeep How can India win world cup without Rishabh Pant ? It is big blunder that they have dropped him from world cup squad . It is better late than never and selectors must accommodate him as he would be great asset and can win matches single handedly .

— Sharanesh (@Sharanesh16) May 9, 2019

dear @BCCI plzzz its a humble request from all over the country we want rishabh pant in worldcup team @cricketworldcup @RishabPant777 @imVkohliwe want him in the worldcup team he can be the best finisher with @hardikpandya7 @msdhoni

— sahil bhatia (@bhatias263) May 9, 2019

Scratching my head in disbelief that Rishabh Pant is not in the World Cup squad.. This guy is talented beyond words.. He should get all the opportunities.. Kohli and the selectors have missed a point here.. A big one rather.. #RishabhPant #IPL19 #Cricket @imVkohli #WorldCup2019

— kunal Yashvardhan (@kunalyashh) May 9, 2019

Bring back Rishabh Pant @RishabPant777 in World Cup 2019 squad… he is young but mature enough to handle the pressure situations… Much better asset than Shankar!!#BCCI #wc19

— Chowkidar Vaibhav Mishra (@Vaibhav38209900) May 9, 2019

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