'Feel For Saha': Twitter Slam Team-Management As India Pick Rishabh Pant Over Wriddhiman Saha

Virat Kohli-led India just loves to spring surprises when it comes to team selection. Not many would have predicted that Rishabh Pant would get the nod ahead of Wriddhiman Saha for the ongoing first Test against New Zealand after warming the bench throughout the home Test season as well as the T20I and ODI series on the ongoing tour.

At the start of the home season last year, India dropped Rishabh Pant in order to make room for Wriddhiman Saha. The senior wicketkeeper impressed straightaway in the challenging conditions and was also hailed by Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri as the best in the world.

On the other hand, Rishabh Pant lost his place in the ODI and T20I playing eleven too. He suffered a concussion while batting in the Mumbai ODI against Australia last month and the team had to ask KL Rahul to keep the wickets. Rahul made the most of the opportunity and is now being preferred as the keeper-batsman ahead of Pant in white-ball formats.

But to everyone’s surprise, India decided to recall Rishabh Pant in the playing eleven ahead of Wriddhiman Saha for the ongoing game. And the fans were not at all impressed with the decision. A number of fans took to Twitter to slam the decision.

Here are some of the reactions:

I don't mind Rishab Pant over Saha in away Tests. His 'keeping is good enough, and in a Test, having a batter who can change the course of the match at no. 6 gives you more wins. Let's see how he goes

Feel for Saha, of course.

— Snehal Pradhan (@SnehalPradhan) February 21, 2020

Pant was told that he was the first choice in limited overs and was dropped in space of 3 series.

Saha was told he was the red ball keeper and was dropped in space of 2 series.

The only reason why I wanted Saha to play. God save our players. #NZvsIND

— Abhinandan Nahata (@khelgyani_abhi) February 21, 2020

Kumble would have never allowed this if he was the Coach.I remember Ravi Shastri once said Rohit Sharma was selected ahead of Rahane because he batted well in the nets in South Africa .Kohli said Saha is the best keeper in India.Shastri/Kohli masters of contradictions. Sorry Saha

— Krishna Kumar (@AtkrishnanKumar) February 21, 2020

Injustice done to Saha by Shastri & Co. What was his fault? Why he was dropped and Pant included? Saha is far better as far as wicketkeeper is concerned and if Pant is better batsmen than why was he was not in the ODI team? #NZvsIND

— Sanjeev Kumar Verma (@sanjeevkverma) February 21, 2020

Saha was unlucky to get injured initially after which Pant got his chances and made most of it.

Pant was unlucky to get dropped when he wasn't performing in shorter formats and Saha was fit again.

Saha is unlucky to get dropped now when he hasn't done anything wrong. #NZvIND

— Score Kya Hua? (Podcast) (@SKHPodcast) February 21, 2020

#INDvsNZTestCricket

Woke up at 3:30 am to find out that Rishab Pant is playing instead of Saha

Me: pic.twitter.com/uJfDjqd5zy

— Ankit P (@Ankkit31) February 20, 2020

Team management comprising Coach n Captain faultered time n again in team selection which have been noticed in on going first test. Ravindra Jadeja n Wriddhiman Saha should have included in place of Hanuma Bihari n pant respectively. Captain should perform.

— Anupdey2009 (@Anupdey20092) February 21, 2020

I guess the team management knows better; but we as viewers @bcci absolutely are appaled when you serve beer where you needed whiskey. Suprised on Wriddiman Saha exclusion and Mr Pant make @imVkohli faith in you count .. let the Saha sacrifice mean something #IndVsNZ

— Ajay (@ripwanwinkle) February 21, 2020

Well, Rishabh Pant’s impressive record in overseas Tests might have played a role in his inclusion in the team. While Wriddhiman Saha is yet to score a fifty in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia), Rishabh Pant has a century each in Australia and England. Moreover, Pant scored an impressive fifty in the warm-up game too.

Meanwhile, India are well on the backfoot in the ongoing Test in Wellington. The visitors were reeling at 122 for 5 when rain arrived.

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