Rishabh Pant, the 24-year-old Indian cricketer, was out for 14 runs in
12 balls in the India versus Pakistan Super 4s Asia Cup match on Sunday, September
4. The poor performance with the bat might well cost the youngster his place in
the first XI. Pant or Dinesh Karthik is a question the Indian team has been
trying to answer every match of this tournament, and Pant might have just made
it easier to choose.

Rishabh Pant was chosen over Dinesh Karthik in Sunday’s game in order to
give the Indian batting line-up a refreshing left-hander. The game was set for
him. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul had given India a blistering start.

Both the openers scored the same number of runs. While KL Rahul took 20
balls to reach his 28 with one four and two sixes, Rohit Sharma took just 16
with two sixes and three fours.

Also Read | Asia Cup 2022, Super 4: Why Rishabh Pant replaced Dinesh Karthik vs Pakistan

Virat Kohli came in and gave India’s batting his signature balance. In
all ways, it was Rishabh Pant’s match to shine. However, his slow innings that
did not amount to much brought Hardik Pandya to the crease a little earlier
than India planned. Pandya was out for a duck and Deepak Hooda walked into the
field. That slowed down the innings as Kohli and Hooda both became conscious
that they were the last proper batting pair. India’s line-up sorely missed
Dinesh Karthik in the final overs.

There was a lot of hope on Pant’s performance in Sunday’s match. Former
Indian pacer RP Singh had said, “One of DK (Dinesh Karthik) and KL Rahul needs
to be rested and Pant needs to be in the XI. Pant deserves to play. He is a
match-winner, and if he performs, he can take India home.”

Singh also pointed out that Dinesh Karthik did not keep wickets in the
India versus Hong Kong match where both Karthik and Pant were playing. Neither
Pant, nor Karthik batted in the match. “In the previous game, DK didn’t keep which
left me a little confused. Because he kept the wickets in the first game so he
is your first choice,” Singh said.