On 4 December 2022, team India began their three-match ODI series in Bangladesh. After the 20-20 World Cup, India traveled to New Zealand to play a T20I and an ODI series. However, all senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli took a rest from that tour. Now, all of them were back in the equation for this tour.
First, team India will play this ODI series followed by a two-match Test series. Rishabh Pant was in New Zealand also and got opportunities over Sanju Samson. Even, he was in the squad for this Bangladesh tour. So, fans were hoping to see him in a good form in this series in respect of the upcoming 2023 World Cup.
Indian Cricket Board confirmed that Rishabh Pant has been ruled out from the whole ODI series
Rishabh Pant had a dismal 20-20 World Cup for India. He scored only nine runs in two innings in that tournament. In the whole New Zealand tour, Rishabh Pant scored only 42 runs in four innings. So, fans were not happy with him despite having so many opportunities. Players like Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan are in the queue already. Still, the Indian team management showed faith in him for a long time now. However, fans were hoping to see him in the playing XI in the first ODI against Bangladesh.
But, before the start of the match, the Indian Cricket Board shared a tweet where they confirmed that Rishabh Pant will miss the whole ODI series due to an injury. The tweet read: “UPDATE In consultation with the Indian Cricket Board Medical Team, Rishabh Pant has been released from the ODI squad. He will join the team ahead of the Test series. No replacement has been sought Axar Patel was not available for selection for the first ODI. #TeamIndia | #BANvIND.” They also said that he will be back in the team for the Test series. However, after this news, fans were surprised as that came out of nowhere. Some of them also found be confused as KL Rahul got selected as the keeper in the first match.
Here is the tweet:
🚨 UPDATE
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 4, 2022
In consultation with the BCCI Medical Team, Rishabh Pant has been released from the ODI squad. He will join the team ahead of the Test series. No replacement has been sought
Axar Patel was not available for selection for the first ODI.#TeamIndia | #BANvIND
Here is how fans have reacted to the news of Rishabh Pant:
So, Rishabh has been released and Samson is in India! And back to KL Rahul to keep wickets when keepers are waiting for an opportunity and Ishan Kishan is there! I am quite confused.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 4, 2022
Rishabh Pant should never have been selected in NZ and it is a good call to rest him in ODIs now. He has been on the road since IPL 2022. But making Rahul keep wickets will now create even more muddle and road more confusing for Sanju and Pant
— Sufiyan (@iamsufiyaan7) December 4, 2022
#SonySportsNetwork Rishabh pant ko kiyun bahar kiya Aakash sir #askstar @SonySportsNetwk
— Jasraj Vaishnav (@JasrajVaishnav7) December 4, 2022
Without Rishabh pant, Indian team look like having more depth. Bcz we always thought he will obviously play false shot and got out.
— ANUBHAV MISHRA (@RUDRAPR33281756) December 4, 2022
Rishabh Pant Watching KL Rahul Playing as a Wicketkeeper in the team. pic.twitter.com/fL1RQELBGn
— Rishabh (Professor) (@ProfesorSahab) December 4, 2022
Without #RishabhPant team india is struggling now 😆😆
— Shiv 🇮🇳 (@shivayyee) December 4, 2022
Can we know why the Replacement of Rishabh Pant is not been made and suddenly KL Rahul has been said to do the wicket keeping what's happening in the Indian cricket team#ASKTHEEXPERTS
— Ankur Saun (@thestranger_op) December 4, 2022
Top order batsman ka pet kharab h bhaiya washroom jane ke liye out ho rhe h sutro se khabar mili h (Rishabh pant)
— VARUN (@varxxxxxx) December 4, 2022
Viru paji's test cricket strike rate was much better than Rishabh Pant's T20 strike rate.
— S.P. (@SAIAMILKANTHWAR) December 4, 2022