Fans bat for Dinesh Karthik's return after Rishabh Pant's poor show in Australia series

Pant didn't do much in either roles in the two matches against Australia.

Published - 14 Mar 2019, 11:50 IST | Updated - 14 Mar 2019, 11:50 IST

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The recently concluded ODI series against Australia is a big wake-up call for Team India ahead of the World Cup. While the series was seen as the one to try out experiments, the 2-3 loss especially after going two nil up is surely going to dent the team’s confidence. On Wednesday, India lost the fifth and final ODI by 35 runs to concede the series. It was yet another dismal performance from a team which has been tipped as the favourites to win the upcoming World Cup.

India made heavy weather of a modest 273-run chase in Delhi. Shikhar Dhawan, who scored 143 in the previous ODI, failed again and managed to score just 12 before the rest of his teammates threw away their starts. At one stage, India were looking well set to be bowled under 200 after being reduced to 132 for 6. But a 91-run stand between Kedar Jadhav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar revived the team’s hopes before both the batsmen departed on consecutive deliveries. India were eventually all out for 237.

Unsurprisingly, the defeat has attracted criticism and Rishabh Pant is one of the players who finds himself in the line of fire. The wicketkeeper-batsman was recalled in the series and a good performance would have all but sealed his World Cup spot. However, the 21-year old failed miserably and his World Cup hopes are now hanging by a fine thread.

After warming the bench in the first three games, Pant was finally handed an opportunity in the fourth ODI after MS Dhoni was rested. He made a mark with his bat, scoring 36 off 24 but soon found himself in the news for all the wrong reasons after his miserable display behind the stumps. His two missed stumpings – when Ashton Turner was on 38 and 41 – eventually cost India the fourth ODI. The youngster then failed to impress with the bat in the fifth ODI. Promoted at number four, he managed to score just 16.

Fans want Karthik back

With Pant failing to impress, fans on Twitter have now expressed their desire of seeing Dinesh Karthik returning to the team. Karthik was sensationally dropped for the series despite his impressive performances over the last one year. With experience on his side, the fans think he is a better option at the moment than Pant.

Dinesh Karthik has the best average among all the players India tried at no.4 post 2015 WC. But BCCI's love for Rayudu is something I really don't understand. #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/IdZucCcoZ5
— VISHAL (@V1SH4L) March 13, 2019

I guess Team India @BCCI is doing grave injustice to @ajinkyarahane88 and @DineshKarthik both players deserve a chance instead @RishabPant777 and @klrahul11 who didn’t justify their selection @bhogleharsha pic.twitter.com/huJuZeJvan
— BaradwajRamachandran (@BaradwajR) March 14, 2019

@BCCI bring @DineshKarthik back in the squad
— Rohit Bhakat (@rohitbhakat91) March 14, 2019

@BCCI take @DineshKarthik instead of Rishabh pant or Ambati Rayudu
— tintu (@tintukarunan) March 14, 2019

#INDvsAUS The Politics done by selecting committee of @BCCI costs India a series defeat at home. @DineshKarthik better choice than Pant for keeping. He is not in team because he is a South Indian. South Indians been neglected from decades to select Kumar's,Kar's and Sharma's
— Chinmaya Keshava (@keshavachinmaya) March 14, 2019

Dear @BCCI @RaviShastriOfc @imVkohli Plz go with Dinesh kartik instead of Rishabh Pant.. for WC 19 ….#DineshKarthik
— amar potphode (@amarp3142) March 14, 2019

@BCCI with this middle order we can't think of world cup.
For 2nd wicketkeepr option bring @DineshKarthik👌He stands for strong middle order also.
— Shailesh chaurasia (@shaileshch96) March 14, 2019

@BCCI I think , mature and sensible cricketer @DineshKarthik deserves his place in the place of mediocre wicketkeeper, overrated crap and overhyped , cheap IPL brat @RishabPant777
— Deven surwade (@Devensurwade) March 14, 2019

Dinesh Karthik would be a better choice for second wicket keeper for World Cup than Rishabh Pant judging from recent performances. Better both as wicket keeper and a reliable batsman @ImKohli_FC
— Jitu Mehta (@jitu70069205) March 14, 2019