Indian wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant finally has finally found his space in the playing XI after getting snubbed for the last few series. After failing to perform in a number of opportunities, Rishabh Pant was eventually replaced by KL Rahul as India’s wicket-keeper. On the other hand, Wriddhiman Saha’s superior glovework helped him replace Rishabh Pant in the longest format of the game.
However, in the first Test match today Rishabh Pant was picked in the playing XI over Wriddhiman Saha as India’s first choice for the wicket-keeper batsman. Saha’s exclusion has disappointed many including popular commentator Harsha Bhogle.
With the first test between New Zealand and India underway, Harsha Bhogle has questioned the exclusion of Wriddhiman Saha from the laying squad for India. In a series of Tweets, Harsha Bhogle has called out on the selectors for missing out on Wriddhiman Saha and replacing him with Rishabh Pant for the sake of a few more runs instead of taking a better keeper in the team. He wrote:
“Just up and see Saha is left out. We have just told every young keeper in India not to bother becoming the best in the world behind the stumps and instead focus on getting a few more runs in front of them. Disappointed.”
Here, check out his first Tweet:
Just up and see Saha is left out. We have just told every young keeper in India not to bother becoming the best in the world behind the stumps and instead focus on getting a few more runs in front of them. Disappointed.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 21, 2020
Harsha posted a cryptic tweet as well, where he expressed the situation of Saha and Pant by using the example of popular Bollywood singer Shreya Ghoshal. He wrote:
“Am waiting to see Shreya Ghoshal left out of a major concert because the other girl could strum the guitar a bit better!! #Saha”
Here, check out his Tweet:
Furthermore, Harsha Bhogle expressed how it isn’t about Rishabh Pant but about picking the best in the team. He also felt sorry for Saha. He wrote:
“Don’t get me wrong. This isn’t about Pant. Just think in tests you pick your best five batsmen, best four bowlers, best keeper and think about a secondary skill for number six, if at all. I hope he does well because he is a gifted young player but feel for Saha. #Lastword.”
Here, check out his Tweet:
Don’t get me wrong. This isn’t about Pant. Just think in tests you pick your best five batsmen, best four bowlers, best keeper and think about a secondary skill for number six, if at all. I hope he does well because he is a gifted young player but feel for Saha. #Lastword. https://t.co/OJwatdbLeb
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 21, 2020
Harsha Bhogle’s tweets have led to a full-fledged debate over Pant and Saha on Twitter. While many agree with Harsha Bhogle, the others disagree with him and feel that it is equally important for the wicket-keeper to score some runs and have backed Rishabh Pant for the same.
Here, check out the reactions of Twitterati:
https://twitter.com/RishabPant777/status/1230666498047238146?s=20
Pant is better batsman than Saha in foreign condition that’s why kohli picked him. Keeping should be accurate by pant otherwise we will see Saha comes back in next test. https://t.co/NeclKjOiaO
— Shreyas Kulkarni (@ShreyasKulkar15) February 21, 2020
Its 100% True THE LAST LINE..!!??#NZvIND https://t.co/P88nkZeXP7
— Chandu
(@chandu_212) February 21, 2020
(@chandu_212) This seems flawed selection, why not rahul as opener when he is in such great form, he seems technically sound too, and pant over saha, can’t understand logic
— saurabh sharma (@imsaurabh03) February 21, 2020
They couldn’t have realistically played both Saha and Ashwin at least one of Pant or Jadeja had to play to have a competent bat at No.7 #NZvIND https://t.co/elxThOllof
— neo (@hehemaihihu) February 21, 2020
If that was the case, pant would have started in home as well..Saha’s overseas record is very poor whereas pant has arguably done well in batting and decent in keeping as well..no proper reason to drop pant in this test match!!
— Arjun Prasad (@arjun2109) February 21, 2020
excellent Mr. @bhogleharsha..@BCCI @SGanguly99 Indian team selection is unsettling good players.. Pant should get chance in ODI & T20..Bt he is in the test team..@Wriddhipops should play in test matches..bt he is in the bench.. https://t.co/ndMfKUwJsu
— INDRAJIT SEN (@INDRAJIT8408) February 21, 2020
Why only Pant in Test squad? Put a full T20 team instead. https://t.co/0dzTqv8Lea
— ashok kumar (@pawar_ash) February 21, 2020
ROFL… ???? But very strange to leave out @Wriddhipops probably Kohli still going with the formula of home test with Saha and away with Pant… https://t.co/NJ72tfHfo1
— Rajiv Santhanam
It’s a उन्नीस-बीस ka khel in keeping sir. It’s not that Saha catches everything & Pant drops everything. But in batting I think there is a bigger difference between them than keeping. That’s why it’s Pant.#NZvsIND https://t.co/NLBOOaFkWv
— Parth Narodiya (@imPnarodiya) February 21, 2020
https://twitter.com/seenivasababu/status/1230653804237844485?s=20
fully with you, Pant couldn’t cement his place in shorter formats which are his go-to arena and now we’re throwing him at tests and what costs? Saha!! that’s just outright bullshit
— lakeman (@lakemannnn) February 21, 2020
That means u want good wktkeeper, no matter how much he scores?
— Avinash Shigwan (@avinash_shigwan) February 21, 2020
This is really bad, rather disgusting. This is test cricket, the purest form where u test the skills of a cricketer. U have to pick specialists and unless there is a class all rounder, u dont pick. Nothing against Pant, but when u have Saha, u pick him thats it. And bats good too
— rajib bhattacharjee (@vatrajib) February 21, 2020
Pant has been a good wk too, not as good as Saha, but he is definitely better batsman than Saha. He deserves few chances. https://t.co/SlJP8R1hQ4
— ViratABDMSD (@ViratAbdMsd) February 21, 2020
