cricket

Updated: Mar 11, 2019 12:56 IST

The Indian selectors rested MS Dhoni for the final two matches against Australia in order to test young Rishabh Pant before the World Cup. However, the young man struggled behind the stumps in Mohali and missed a couple of stumpings which did not help India’s cause.

It did not help him that with each mistake, the crowd started chanting Dhoni’s name, but for the young man, it was a day to be forgotten. Social media was up in arms against Pant and equated his keeping to Dhoni, a comparison which did not go down too well with former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra, who defended the inclusion of Pant in the Indian squad.

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“Stop searching Dhoni-the keeper in Rishabh Pant. He’s work in progress. The question should be—Is he worth investing in?

Stop searching Dhoni-the keeper in Rishabh Pant. He’s work in progress. The question should be—Is he worth investing in?

My answer—YES. #IndvAus — Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 10, 2019

My answer—YES,” he tweeted after Australia scripted an amazing comeback to clinch the Mohali ODI.

“Also, bear in mind that IF Pant is picked for the World Cup, he WONT be playing ahead of Dhoni. And he WONT be keeping. So...it’s kinda unfair to judge him purely as a keeper. I thought he played a fairly decent knock today. Struck well,” he added.

Also, bear in mind that IF Pant is picked for the World Cup, he WONT be playing ahead of Dhoni. And he WONT be keeping. So...it’s kinda unfair to judge him purely as a keeper. I thought he played a fairly decent knock today. Struck well. #Pant #IndvAus — Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 10, 2019

After the match, captain Virat Kohli spoke about the lapses in the field and how it played a part in India’s loss.

“We were sloppy in the field. We were not at our best, and we should have grabbed those chances and made the most of the opportunity when it came by,” Kohli said at the post-match press conference.