Fans called for the Indian team management to play Rishabh Pant as a specialist batsman and Wriddhiman Saha as the wicket-keeper after Pant played a wonderful knock of 97 runs on day 5 of the IND vs AUS third Test match. The 23-year-old played a blinder of an innings to keep India’s hopes of winning the Test alive. His knock was studded with 12 boundaries and three maximums and as long as Pant was in the crease, India stood with a chance of scripting a famous victory on Australian soil. But with Pant dropping two catches in the Test match and Saha showing his brilliance with the gloves in the second innings, fans feel paying Pant as a specialist batsman and Saha as the wicketkeeper would be the right call. India vs Australia 3rd Test 2021 Day 5 Live Score Updates.

Saha was initially not part of the playing XI for the third Test but came as a substitute keeper to replace Pant after the latter had coped a blow on his left elbow while batting. Pant was later taken for scans on day 3 of the Test and did not keep wickets in the entire second innings. But came out to bat on day 5 and played a brilliant knock. Saha, in his role as a substitute keeper, took four catches. Rishabh Pant Misses Century by Three Runs! Twitterati Salute Young Batsman for Marvellous Knock Despite Elbow Blow During IND vs AUS 3rd Test Day 5.

The senior Saha has always been seen as the safer option with the gloves while Pant is seen as the better batsman. Both players have often been trolled for their lacking in the other department. While Pant often faces the heat for dropping catches, Saha is trolled for failing to score runs with the bat. Take a look at how Twitter urged the team management to make a sensible decision and play both in the playing XI.

Rishabh Pant Batting, Wriddhiman Saha Keeping

Pant As a Specialist Batsman and Saha As Wicket-Keeper

Include Both Pant and Saha in Playing XI for 4th Test?

Tim Paine to Rahane After 3rd Test

Why Can't Pant and Saha Play Together?

Rishabh Pant Batting and Wriddhiman Saha Wicketkeeping is Best of Both Worlds

India, meanwhile, are fighting hard on the final day of the third Test to save the Test. The visitors started the day 309 runs behind and have so far lost three wickets. India still need 108 runs to win the Test while they must play 24 overs to save the Test match. Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari are at the crease for India.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 11, 2021 11:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).