He needs to be backed and needs time: Hayden's take on Pant conundrum
DK was given a nod in place of Pant [PC: Twitter]
The under-fire Indian team sustained another loss on Tuesday as Australia humbled them by four wickets in a high-scoring affair.
Although a defeat may have rattled Rohit Sharma and Co., their decision to go with Dinesh Karthik instead of Rishabh Pant yesterday as a wicket-keeper shows their way forward till the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Albeit facing a handful of deliveries, Karthik scored six runs before getting dismissed by Nathan Ellis.
While fans and pundits continue to remain divided on the debate, former Australia batter Matthew Hayden opined on the matter.
Hayden's bold statement on Pant
Backing Pant, the Aussie legend said that the former would make it to the side had he been the selector.
"Rishabh Pant would be picked in every side if I was the selector. He is just the future. He needs to be backed and needs time. Even if it's through runs or form, he should be there in my opinion. He is a superior player in pretty much every way and aspect," Hayden said as quoted during the first T20I between India and Australia.
0-1 down in the series, India now head to Nagpur for the second T20I of the ongoing three-match series. The fixture is slated on September 23 at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.
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