The Indian cricket team is currently locking its horns against Zimbabwe in their 5th and final Super 12 game of the 2022 T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. So far, in the tournament, the Indian cricket team has hardly made any changes to their playing XI and has probably inked on their best combination. Ahead of the game against Zimbabwe, one question that was on everyone’s mind was – will Rishabh Pant finally get a game in the T20 World Cup 2022?
However, to everyone’s surprise, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first in ongoing India vs Zimbabwe match. Rohit also informed the one change that he made in the playing XI as he brought back Rishabh Pant for Dinesh Karthik.
“Rishabh is the only guy (from the batting group) who hasn’t played a single game, including the practice games. We wanted to give him a game before the semi-finals,” said Rohit on getting him in place of Karthik.
“It’s the preference of the team, nothing to do with the pitch. Pitch looks good. We wanted to give our bowlers a chance to defend a score. Nothing changes, we need to do well as a team,” added Rohit.
Meanwhile, Netizens were mighty impressed with this decision and social media started buzzing with the reactions from the fans as many believed that Rishabh Pant deserved this chance.
Check out how fans reacted to this big change:
Well come back #RishabhPant in the playing 11. much deserved .
— Kanish Rawat (@yKanish16) November 6, 2022
Virat Kohli with Rishabh Pant during today’s practice session in MCG. pic.twitter.com/s1QMi0FJ8r
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) November 5, 2022
Rishabh Pant replaces Dinesh Karthik in the team. #INDvsZIM pic.twitter.com/7dVHkGPQtM
— 𝐑𝐆 🇮🇳 (@sigmanation07) November 6, 2022
Rishabh Pant has replaced Dinesh Karthik.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 6, 2022
Rishabh Pant replaces Dinesh Karthik in the team. #INDvsZIM pic.twitter.com/7dVHkGPQtM
— 𝐑𝐆 🇮🇳 (@sigmanation07) November 6, 2022
Rishabh Pant in playing XI
Moment hai Bhai moment hai😭😭😭♥️ #RishabhPant #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/NRHsxilpon
— Spider Pant (@pant_spider) November 6, 2022
Finally Rishabh pant back in playing 11 #INDvsZIM #Rishabpant pic.twitter.com/TfVZRxn7B0
— True Viratain ❤ (@TrueViratain) November 6, 2022
Rishabh pant entry pic.twitter.com/glsqMGR76N
— HariDaDa.. (@haridada_) November 6, 2022
This is the right decision to get @RishabhPant17 in playing XI instead of @DineshKarthik as he provides more cushion to batting line up and a left hander in middle order is a blessing.#T20WorldCup #INDvsZIM #RishabhPant
— Apoorv Kalla (@Apoorvk18) November 6, 2022
My Fav #RishabhPant is playing today🕺 I think he’ll play in semifinal too ❤ pic.twitter.com/L08kMqOk8v
— Junior Sid Malhotra🖤 (@Ranjanbharwaz1) November 6, 2022
Captain Rohit Sharma said,” Rishabh Pant playing today 🔥”. pic.twitter.com/36FpLwAnV9
— Vishal. (@SportyVishal) November 6, 2022
India:
KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh
Zimbabwe:
Wesley Madhevere, Craig Ervine, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Tony Munyonga, Ryan Burl, Tendai Chatara, Richard Ngarava, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani