Indian squad led by Rohit Sharma failed to make an impression in the opening match of Nidahas Trophy 2018 between India and Sri Lanka, as they lost the first match to Islanders by five-wickets on Tuesday in Colombo.
After the loss, Indian team, especially wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant was trolled due to his performance in the match.
Though Pant is known for his explosive batting style, the left-handed batsman was not able to score big as he was sent back to the pavilion on 23 runs. Pant stuck one six and one boundary during his innings.
Just a few hours after the match ended, Pant was criticised for his slow knock. And particularly the fans of former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni were having a laugh at Pant’s failure.
23 runs of 23 balls in a T20 with a strike rate of 100. Dhoni should retire.
Arre sorry ye to Rishabh Pant hai.
Long way to go for this young lad.#SLvIND— Neelkanth (@neelkanthh9) March 6, 2018
#NidahasTrophy Rishabh Pant – Ye Hain Dhoni Ke Replacement 😂 Bhai This Is Not IPl . #SLvIND
— Prakash Singh (@Im_Prakash06) March 6, 2018
God Forbid but if Dhoni would have played this kind of run a ball innings, people would have termed it as Test Innings in a T20. But now since it is Rishabh Pant, we can all chill. #INDvSL #NidahasTrophy
— Abbas Haider (@abbas_haiderr) March 6, 2018
Imagine Dhoni playing a Rishabh Pant like innings, and we would have had ‘legends’ like Agarkar and Manjrekar asking for his retirement! Well, that’s also because, people notice such experts only with such comments. Not that Pant is not good. #IndvSL
— Nikhil Kharoo (@nkharoo) March 6, 2018
Rishabh Pant is a highly overrated cricketer..and they see him as a successor of Dhoni..huh..#INDvSL #SLvIND #Colombo #NidahasTrophy #NidahasTrophy2018
— Aditya Acharya (@aadiacharya) March 6, 2018
So how many will blame Rishabh Pant for today’s loss ?
Like they do always with MS Dhoni .
This guy need to work on his fitness . #SLvIND— Bhupesh Dave (@Bhupesh_live) March 6, 2018
Meanwhile, commentator Akash Chopra took a dig at the trolls and wrote on Twitter, “Also, it’s incredible to see how many people are happy with Rishabh Pant not having a great game. Imagine if the world wanted you to fail when you were 20. #SLvIND.”
Also, it’s incredible to see how many people are happy with Rishabh Pant not having a great game. Imagine if the world wanted you to fail when you were 20. #SLvIND
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 6, 2018
Sri Lanka have won the first T20I by five wickets.