Veteran Dinesh Karthik pipped young turk Rishabh Pant in the fight for the second wicketkeeper’s slot in India’s 15-strong squad announced on Monday for the ICC World Cup starting May 30 in England.
There were no surprises as the MSK Prasad-headed selection committee maintained continuity in their choices with the only topic of discussion being the second wicket-keeper. The 33-year-old Karthik got the nod ahead of the 21-year-old Pant despite an indifferent IPL campaign with the Kolkata Knight Riders.
The other notable omission was Ambati Rauydu, whose form put him out of contention. Tamil Nadu all-rounder Vijay Shankar made it for his “three-dimensional” qualities.
BREAKING: India have named their #CWC19 squad! pic.twitter.com/mMXt5kAG6Y
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) April 15, 2019
Rayudu’s omission came as a surprise since Indian Virat Kohli had said on multiple occasions over the past year that the 33-year-old was the front-runner in the race for the World Cup No 4 spot. Sadly for the Andhra Pradesh batsman, though, he has been pipped by Shankar for the coveted position in India’s middle order.
On Tuesday, Rayudu posted an interesting tweet where he shared insight on how he plans to watch the World Cup.
Just Ordered a new set of 3d glasses to watch the world cup 😉😋..
— Ambati Rayudu (@RayuduAmbati) April 16, 2019
Here’s how cricket fans and experts reacted to the initial news of Karthik over Pant on Twitter.
Support for Rayudu, Pant
While Pant will be a bit confused given that he is the test keeper but has been left out on wicketkeeping skills, this caps an astonishing sequence of events for Dinesh Karthik. From being down and out in life to being at the World Cup. It is a story of hope.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 15, 2019
So, India has picked Shankar as #4 option. Without really knowing if it’ll work. DK will play only when Dhoni isn’t available. And no fourth seamer. Interesting choices. Hope it works. ☺️🤗Good luck 👍🙌 #CWC
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 15, 2019
No @RishabPant777 in the World Cup Squad ... India must be bonkers !!!!!
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 15, 2019
Pant ❎
— ICC (@ICC) April 15, 2019
Karthik ✅
India have named their @cricketworldcup squad ⬇️https://t.co/7fOjI2he3X pic.twitter.com/q8WnsVCa42
Had I been @RishabPant777 I would have been very, very angry. Very.
— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) April 15, 2019
Irrespective of how they do in the World Cup, this has been a backward step.
Wasn’t Pant elevated to the top tier of the Central Contracts a few weeks back?? Not a certainty in two of the three formats. 😐🤨
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 15, 2019
Heartbreak for Pant. Karthik gets nod because of better keeping skills, just in case MSD is injured before a crucial match
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 15, 2019
Feel Rishabh Pant should have been included. #CWC19
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) April 15, 2019
not so long back Rayudu virtually had the endorsement of virat kohli, no less, to be India's number 4 at the world cup..in sport, there can be no guarantees..
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) April 15, 2019
Pant will get his opportunities but nothing for Rayudu to clutch on. This was his best chance and he fluffed up when it mattered the most. Had sealed the no .4 spot but lost form at crucial moments. #CWC19
— Omkar Mankame (@Oam_16) April 15, 2019
Rishab Pant would have made the playing 11 of any other team participating in the World Cup. Yet he cannot find a place in the final 15 for India. Unbelievable #CWC19
— Shubhankar Vajpayee (@SVajpayee27) April 15, 2019
Pant has played 5 ODIs for India. His highest score is 38. He is obviously a great talent and a future star. But taking him to a WC would be a huge leap of faith.
— cricBC (@cricBC) April 15, 2019
I don't think MSK Prasad's selection committee likes taking leaps of faith. They'd rather go with the data they have
The biggest and best takeaway is the selectors saw the struggle Rayudu had vs pace and took the call to drop him after all that backing.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 15, 2019
Well done there. DK comes in as a finisher alone which is apt. To me however India bat, their bowling is what is going to win it, if at all :)
Questions, questions
This means the #No4 debate is still open. Options now are Vijay Shankar or Virat Kohli with Rahul at no. 3. People who watch a lot of domestic cricket really rate Vijay Shankar. Happy for him but his temperament will be tested.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 15, 2019
Vijay Shankar has a batting average of 33. Bowling average of 94. How does he make it to the World Cup team? Can someone please explain?
— Kunal Singh (@d_extrovert) April 15, 2019
So India said they weren't going to look at IPL form before picking their World Cup squad, then picked Rahul who has played 4 ODIs in the last 18 months?
— The Big Show (@ravi_layer) April 15, 2019
With inputs from PTi