Picture Credit: AP
After a heartbreaking loss against Pakistan, the Indian team faces Sri Lanka in an all-important Super 4s clash at the Dubai International Stadium. Ahead of today’s game, sources close to SportsTiger have confirmed that Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is set to be dropped against Sri Lanka.
Pant didn’t have a great performance against Pakistan as he got out on 14 as he tried a reverse sweep on a googly by Shadab Khan. The wicketkeeper-batter was premeditative which was coupled with poor execution as the ball went straight into the hands of Asif Ali at backward point, resulting in a big wicket at a crucial juncture.
Several cricketing experts called out Pant’s mistake, including former India opener Gautam Gambhir. The former IPL-winning captain expressed that the reverse-sweep isn’t Pant’s strength and he should target the long-on or deep mid-wicket regions.
While speaking on Star Sports, Gambhir said, “Rishabh Pant will be disappointed because that’s not his shot. His shot is probably hit it over long-on or deep mid-wicket, you end up hitting over there and get out, absolutely you can take it because that’s your strength. Your strength is not reverse-sweeping."
Whereas Gambhir’s batting partner Virender Sehwag alluded to the fact that Rishabh Pant could be dropped from the team for Dinesh Karthik. He said, “I think there will be one change, they might bring in a finisher. If you have brought in Dinesh Karthik at the age of 37 and given him the job of a finisher, then he should play till the World Cup. Now if the team wants to see a left-right combination or something else, then they have to explore some other options. Ishan Kishan is there on the sidelines, bring him in if required.”