India wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant once again became a subject of intense scrutiny after he departed for 0 in the T20I series decider against West Indies in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Rishabh Pant's innings lasted just 2 balls as the youngster holed out at long off while trying to accelerate from the word go.

Pant was promoted to No. 3 after India openers KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma put on 135 runs in just 11.4 overs in a big-hitting masterclass at the Wankhede Stadium.

For the 2nd successive time in the series, Virat Kohli gave up his spot and pushed a pinch-hitter (Shivam Dube in the 2nd T20I) up the order. While Dube grabbed the opportunity well in Thiruvananthapuram) with a quickfire 54, Pant failed to trouble the scorers.

Pant tried to hit Hayden Walsh over the long-on boundary after the leg-spinner bowled it wide. He failed to connect properly and walked back in disappointment.

Pant has been struggling to get going, especially in the T20I format. Pant has scored just 252 runs from 16 matches at an average of 21.00 in 2019. This comes after a disappointing year in 2018 as well -- 114 runs from 8 matches at 16.28.

Despite his struggles to get going with the bat and the ordinary glovework, Pant has found the backing of the team management. However, a section of fans on social media have not been happy, especially when an in-form Sanju Samson is warming the benches.

Pant has been facing the heat at the stadiums as well as chants of 'Dhoni Dhoni' were heard when he fumbled behind the wickets. Despite Virat Kohli saying it's 'disrespectful', fans in Thiruvananthapuram chanted Sanju Samson's name when Pant came up with ordinary glovework.

Here's how social media reacted to Rishabh Pant's failure in the 3rd T20I vs West Indies in Mumbai.

If anyone's gonna come and defend #RishabhPant 's irresponsible shot as playing,"Aggressive Brand of Cricket", needs to get a life first.



It was Stupid,Irresponsible & to say the least 'catch practice' to the guy in the long putting India under pressure in the process #INDvsWI Mahin (@mahiban4u) December 11, 2019

Life should be like #RishabhPant .

So may opportunities. Omkar Mali ???? (@iamOmkara) December 11, 2019

Why the hell is Rishabh Pant being played games after games, when he is not performing neither in batting nor in wicketkeeping.

Talent like Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Dinesh Karthik etc. are being wasted due to him.#INDvWI #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/V2EU8jIKN0 Venkatesh R Das (@venkateshRdas) December 11, 2019

Biggest contribution from #RishabhPant ...

This time only wasted 2 balls... Nijil Raj K R (@nijilrajkr) December 11, 2019

Yaar, Ye Maggie banane me time Kam lagta hai ki #RishabhPant ki innings Khatam hone me?#INDvsWESTIND Another Gujju (@another_gujju) December 11, 2019

Throwing his weight behind Rishabh Pant, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had said he would let Rishabh Pant deal with pressure on his own.

"If I were Virat Kohli, I would just let him go through it, let him hear it and find ways to succeed. Everybody must remember that you don't get MS Dhoni's every day. He is a once-in-a-generation cricketer," Ganguly said at India Today Conclave East last week.

"MS Dhoni, also, when he started was not MS Dhoni. It took him 15 years to be MS Dhoni. It will take Rishabh Pant also close to 15 years to be even close to what MS Dhoni is today."

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