Twitter Reacts As India Drop Rishabh Pant To Bring In Wriddhiman Saha For The First Test

Team India will begin the three-match Test series against South Africa on October 2 (Wednesday) in Visakhapatnam. The management has preferred Wriddhiman Saha over Rishabh Pant for the first Test which has garnered mixed reactions among the fans on social media.

Saha last played for India in January 2018 against South Africa before being sidelined with a shoulder injury. In July, last year, Saha had to undergo surgery after doubts prevailed over the nature of his injury following his participation in the Indian Premier League.

Although he returned for the West Indies Test series but had to sit out. In the meantime, Rishabh Pant had left an impression since making his debut in England. He has scored 754 runs from 11 matches including centuries in England and Australia. He also became the first Indian wicket-keeper to achieve this feat.

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But Virat Kohli, while addressing the media said that Wriddhiman Saha is better wicket-keeper and arguably the best in the world. Kohli also stated that Saha was close to playing in West Indies but the management felt this is the right time to slot him back.

“His [Saha’s] keeping credentials are there for everyone to see. He’s played well for us whenever he’s got a chance with the bat for us also. It was unfortunate that he was out for such a long period with an injury, and according to me he’s the best keeper in the world. In these conditions, and with what he’s done for us in the past, he’ll start for us,” Kohli said.

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Rishabh Pant has off-late come under criticism for his shot selection from the team management, albeit in the shorter formats of the game. Although he averages almost 45 in Tests, Pant yielded only 58 runs from three innings.

The decision to replace Rishabh Pant with Wriddhiman Saha had mixed reactions from the fans. While many backed the call, few were of the opinion that Pant should have continued considering that he is future of Indian cricket.

Twitter Reactions

With Hanuma Vihari as the specialist batsman at 6 and with Ashwin and Jadeja perfectly capable batsmen, India could look at pure keeping skills for the home series. And while Pant is hugely promising, he too will be aware that Saha is currently the better keeper on turning tracks

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 1, 2019

How will Pant improve his keeping in India if he's not given more matches? Don't see any other reason why he's dropped. It's because of keeping only or else captain and team management are confusing the formats. Rubbish tactics in both the cases

— Saurabh (@Boomrah_) October 1, 2019

Have no issues whatsoever with Saha playing. Good luck to him, he is probably the best keeper in the side but what next? The side doesn't seem to be planning long term. Too many short term goals. Saha may not be around after two years, Pant's progress is halted despite scoring

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) October 1, 2019

Rohit in tests because he had a great WC.
KL out of T20 because he had a poor test series.
Pant out of Test team because of his poor Odi form.
Kulcha out of the team because they want a couple of extra runs from no 9 and 10.
Kohli saab lost his mind after the WC.

— Elite Banker? (@coolhandsree) October 1, 2019

Last 12 months
Rishabh Pant has scored just 10 Test runs lesser than Virat Kohli and batted 1 innings lesser than him @ Average 53.81.

— Merin Kumar ™ (@merin_kumar) October 1, 2019

Just days after Ravi Shastri said he'll back Rishabh Pant to the hilt comes the news that he's been dropped from the Test XI for South Africa.

— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) October 1, 2019

Pointless outrage over 6 batsmen one orthodox wicket keeper/handy batsmen two spinners and two pacers theory pant won't fit into the side with his dodgy glove technique over spin in these conditions! #INDvSA

— BrainFaden Smith (@brainfadesmith2) October 1, 2019

This series will help Pant to come back stronger ? We will get to know what Saha has to offer to the team which pant cannot
And If Rohit belongs to test cticket at all or not.Good to take out some frauds before we go overseas again.

— ? (@Herophine98) October 1, 2019

I think @Wriddhipops has more experience then @RishabhPant17
In test match after dhoni retirement
W.shaha played welled in test matches
Good decision by virat#WriddhimanSaha #Pant

— Aman Singh (@AmanSin46326514) October 1, 2019

Those who saying Dropping Pant is good Decision against Saha should also watch Test cricket. Also pant has taken 50+catches in 11 matches. Enough said. pic.twitter.com/SbcHZFGVO6

— P R I N C ?? (@iPrince55) October 1, 2019

Saha is undoubtedly the best test keeper in the country at present and was unlucky to be left out of the team due injury for the last 1 year. But dropping Pant completely from the team is not the solution considering that they are looking at the future.

— . (@cleanbowIed) October 1, 2019

The only reason why I see them picking Saha ahead of Pant is cause they don't rate his keeping skills against spin. That's understandable. But then how will he improve against spin if you don't allow him to play at this level?

— SwingAndSeam (@IsSwingAndSeam) October 1, 2019