Many of the players, particularly the batsmen, had to accept the blame for the poor performance as India suffered their first loss in the T20 World Cup 2022 against South Africa. Dinesh Karthik, who scored just 6 runs off 15 balls, was singled out for particular criticism.
Rishabh Pant took the gloves for the final five overs of the second innings when Karthik’s lower back ailment caused him to leave the field. But it now appears that Pant, who has yet to play in a T20 World Cup match, would finally get his chance against Bangladesh as Karthik’s fitness is still a question.
Rishabh Pant Deserves Spot In Indian Batting Order: Madan Lal
However, despite Dinesh Karthik’s availability, famous Indian bowler and 1983 World Cup champion Madan Lal believes that Rishabh Pant deserves to earn a spot in the Indian batting order. Additionally, he criticized the Indian team’s handling of the wicketkeeper-batsman.
“Availability chaahe DK ki ho ya naa ho, main nehi maanta, mera khayal hai ki Rishabh Pant ko khilana chaiye. Aur agar usko apko khilana hai toh usse aap hausla dijiye. Itna bara batsman hai aur aap toss ke tarah upr niche kar rahe hai. Woh to khiladi hai, uska toh atmavishwas jayega hi. Sabko pata hai ki woh kitna bara match winner hai. Pant ko khilana hi parega chaahe DK available ho ya na ho
(Rishabh Pant has to play irrespective of whether DK plays or not. You have to give him encouragement if you want him to play. He is such a big batsman and you are just tossing him up and down like a coin. He is bound to lose his confidence. We all know he is a match-winner. So, Pant has to play, whether DK is there or not),” he said in an interaction with India Today.
After losing to South Africa in the T20 World Cup, India will play Bangladesh in Adelaide. For India to more or less guarantee their spot in the mega championship semi-final, they must win this game.