India vs Hong Kong: Gautam Gambhir Unhappy With India's Call To Replace Hardik Pandya With Rishabh Pant

India produced a clinical performance against Hong Kong in the Asia Cup 2022 clash in Dubai on August 31. However, it was the team selection that became the topic of debate and not the performance. Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opener questioned the management for replacing Hardik Pandya with Rishabh Pant.

Pandya who was the Man of the Match against Pakistan was rested in the game against Hong Kong. The change was tactical more than anything else as Rishabh Pant replaced him in the lineup. As it turned out, Pant did not get his chance with the bat as the Indian top-order did the job for the side on the night.

Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 59 and along with Suryakumar Yadav (68) helped India reach 192/2 in their 20 overs. India scored 54 runs in the last three overs with the majority of them scored by SKY. As it turned out, India won the game by 40 runs and qualified for the Super 4’s of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir, after the game while talking to Ster Sports questioned the rationale behind replacing Pandya with Pant.

Disagree To Have Rishabh Pant Instead Of Hardik Pandya: Gautam Gambhir

“I disagree to have Rishabh Pant instead of Hardik Pandya. I would have definitely had someone like Deepak Hooda, who can bowl a couple of overs as well”, he told Star Sports.

Gambhir was further of the view change that the change should have been like for like with Deepak Hooda given a chance in place of Pant. He further said that Pant should have played instead of Dinesh Karthik in the lineup.

“That’s more of a like-to-like replacement as well and he (Hooda) hasn’t done anything wrong. So for me, Rishabh Pant should play, but instead of Dinesh Karthik. If you are resting Hardik Pandya, then I think Deepak Hooda deserves a go”, Gambhir added.

Interestingly, Gambhir had questioned the absence of Pant from the Indian team in the game against Pakistan when Dinesh Karthik was chosen ahead of him in the lineup. DK took a few good catches in that game and took a crucial single in the final over which allowed Hardik Pandya to finish the game off.

Also Read: IND vs HK: Arshdeep Singh Was Missing The Radar And Avesh Khan Was Expensive – Reetinder Sodhi Slams Young Pacers