T2O World Cup 2022: Should India play Rishabh Pant against Bangladesh?

Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant made his tournament debut in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2022 as a replacement during the Super 12 match against South Africa on October 30 at Optus Stadium. After India’s Dinesh Karthik complained of back pain, the 25-year-old Delhi cricketer stepped into the middle during South Africa’s 15th over.

Karthik was seen writhing in agony while clutching his back and crouching on his knees. Although the precise nature of his injury is unknown, it appeared to be a back spasm, which can occasionally occur as a result of the extreme cold that one experiences in Perth. Karthik, the oldest player on the team, had a poor tournament with the bat and even found it difficult to handle the pace, bounce, and swing that Perth offered. In a 52-run partnership with Suryakumar Yadav, who slammed an incredible fifty, the right-handed batter only managed six off 15 balls.

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Team India was defeated by South Africa by five wickets, and the senior wicket-keeper’s place in playing Xi against Bangladesh on November 2 in Adelaide is now in doubt. As a left-handed batter, Pant could be a good addition to the team since there is not another southpaw in this Indian lineup besides all-arounder Axar Patel.

KL Rahul’s struggle also a concern for Team India

Additionally, due to KL Rahul’s struggles in the current tournament as the opening batsman, Pant will either be asked to serve as Team India’s finisher or he may be asked to open batting alongside captain Rohit Sharma. Notably, after Rahul’s two failures, many wanted Pant to take Rahul’s place at the top of the order. Rahul has so far scored 4, 9, and 9 in last three matches of the tournament.

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Moreover, Farokh Engineer, a former Indian wicket-keeper batsman, recommended Rishabh Pant as the opening batsman because KL Rahul is out of form and not looking in good touch. Rahul, he claimed, was practicing catches during the game against South Africa because he had “glided the ball into the first slip.” He added that this kind of shot is not played by an opening batsman. Rishabh Pant might be a good option in place of Indian vice captain, according to Farokh, who also noted that KL Rahul is a “very capable batsman” but that India needs to find quick solutions for the tournament’s later stages because he is out of form.