Dinesh Karthik Keeps Wickets Instead of Rishabh Pant During India vs West Indies 2018 1st T20; Angry Netizens Question, ‘Why Not MS Dhoni?’

MS Dhoni’s ouster from the T20 team for West Indies and Australia had already agitated his fans. It was said that Dhoni was rested for giving an opportunity to Rishabh Pant, who is a budding talent. But today, in the first T20i between India and West Indies at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Dinesh Karthik walked out for wicket-keeping duties instead of Pant. This surely did not go down well the fans and they slammed the decision of the team management by posting nasty tweets. India vs West Indies 1st T20I 2018 Highlights: Rohit Sharma & Co Beat Windies by 5 Wickets.

In fact, even the 12-member squad announced by the team management yesterday, on social media had Rishabh Pant as the wicket-keeper. Needless to say that Karthik handling the glove duties agitated the fans to no extent. Check out a few social media reactions below: MS Dhoni Excluded from T20 Team for Australia and West Indies. 

“Although it was Rishabh Pant who was named as the keeper for the T20I, it's Dinesh Karthik who has walked out with the gloves on. Interesting from India. #INDvWI,” read a tweet.

“By dropping MSD, Indian management investing on Dinesh karthik. Illogical and stupid stuff.  #INDvWI,” read another post.

A post read, “#bcci #INDvWI If the team needs a younger wicketkeeper then why they are giving this chance to a player Dinesh Karthik who is only two years younger than Dhoni. What is this?They can give this opportunity to Rishabh Pant. Is this only for throw Dhoni out of T20?@imVkohli @ImRo45.”

Even Mohammad Azharuddin also felt that Rishabh Pant should have been the keeper. “He (Pant) is a good player. He has done well. The more he keeps wickets, the more he will learn. I think his keeping needs to improve a lot. In England, he batted well but his keeping left a lot to be desired," said the 55-year old. Talking about the first match between India and West Indies, the hosts won the game by 5 wickets.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 04, 2018 11:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).