Indian wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant was trolled heavily on social media after the youngster failed to make a mark in the first T20I against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Nidahas Trophy on Tuesday last.
The young left-hander, who has been touted as MS Dhoni’s replacement, struggled with the bat, scoring a run-a-ball 23 in the innings.
“Been a learning day again for young Rishabh Pant in international cricket,” tweeted noted commentator Harsha Bhogle after were restricted to 174/5. Pant, known for his explosive strokeplay, found it hard to get going against the Sri Lanka bowling attack.
The 20-year-old, who batted at No.5, hit one four and a six, helping a short ball straight to the fielder at deep fine leg.
Kusal Perera’s brilliant 66 off 37 balls and some crucial contributions from the middle-order helped Sri Lanka beat India by five wickets in the opening match.
Dhoni fans in particular took the lead in having some fun at Pant's expense.
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, 2018After the Indian batsmen put up a target of 175, their bowlers failed to make a mark as the hosts hammered the bowlers all around the park. Spinners Yuzvendra Chahal (2/37) and Washington Sundar (2/28) provided the crucial breakthroughs to control the run-flow.
Earlier, opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan cracked 90 off 49 deliveries to drive India’s innnigs.
The left-hander struck six fours and equal number of sixes, while scoring his fifth T20I fifty as he shared a crucial 95-run third-wicket stand with Manish Pandey (37 off 35) to take the visitors to a competitive total.
(With inputs from NDTV)