Twitter Divided Over Pant & Karthik as India Announce WC Squad

Here’s a look at how Twitter reacted to the announcement of the Indian squad for the 2019 ICC World Cup.

Experienced campaigner Dinesh Karthik edged out much younger Rishabh Pant in the fight for the second wicketkeeper slot in India's 15-strong squad announced on Monday for the ICC World Cup starting May 30 in England.

There were no surprises as the MSK Prasad-headed selection committee maintained continuity in their choices with the only topic of discussion being the second wicketkeeper.

The 33-year-old Karthik got the nod ahead of the 21-year-old Pant despite an indifferent IPL campaign with the Kolkata Knight Riders.

“The second wicketkeeper comes into play only if Mahi (Mahendra Singh Dhoni) is injured. We went ahead with Karthik because of his experience in big matches,” Prasad said while announcing the squad.

The absence of Rishabh Pant was one of the glaring exclusion. And Twitter was divided between Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik.

The chatter around the World Cup for a while was that Dinesh Karthik's place was safe but you never know till the team is announced. Either way, it was going to be hard on one keeper. The rest of the team is predictable.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 15, 2019

No @RishabPant777 in the World Cup Squad ... India must be bonkers !!!!!

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 15, 2019

It’s impossible to keep everyone happy with team selections but Karthik inclusion surprising. Selectors guilty of showing no consistency in his case. Discarded after Jan 2019 to select straight for the WC. Shankar is a lucky man to make it. #CricketLive #StarSports

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 15, 2019

Wasn’t Pant elevated to the top tier of the Central Contracts a few weeks back?? Not a certainty in two of the three formats. 😐🤨

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 15, 2019

Would have preferred Pant for Karthik and perhaps Saini over Jadeja. Otherwise an expected squad, a good squad. #WorldCup2019 #BCCI #IndiaWorldCupSquad https://t.co/j5AT0M9ftm

— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) April 15, 2019

As expected.

DK over Pant was pretty clear. Pant missed his chances and out. Jadeja is there too because of dry conditions in England this year.

No surprise picks & a balanced squad. 🙌#WorldCup2019#TeamIndia https://t.co/O5EkazCSh2

— Brainfaded Roshan Verma (@iRoshan_Rv) April 15, 2019

We need to stop raising questions on missing out Rishabh Pant , he himself knew he wasn't going to make it in #WorldCup2019 , he has a long way ahead and is definitely going to shine bright in the coming years.
#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/S1sQ1R80Ss

— Mufaddal Motiwala (@mufaddalmm) April 15, 2019

I am really feel bad for @RishabPant777 he is the big destroyer in last overs...😞 Keep going champion #WorldCup2019 #India pic.twitter.com/RZoRu0lCyM

— Vijay Thakor (@vijay_thakor63) April 15, 2019

Another big exclusion was Ambati Rayudu. The Tamil Nadu batsman came into the contention after his great performances for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2018 edition of the IPL.

Rayudu’s drop in form both internationally and in the IPL also didn’t augur well for the batsman. And many Twitter users were not elated with his exclusion.

Ambati Rayudu must be shattered though. His place was deemed certain and he had even quit 4 day cricket to focus on this. But form is such a cruel mistress. The harder he tried the more he seemed to struggle. My heart goes out to him.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 15, 2019

Biggest heartbreak will be for Ambati Rayudu..assured by captain and coach in November that he will be India’s number 4 for the World Cup.. scores a 90 in New Zealand but does not make the cut..looked a bit out of his depth in Australia and New Zealand though

— Apurv Sardeshmukh (@apurvlawyer) April 15, 2019

Absolutely gutted for #AmbatiRayudu poor guy..Done everything to be picked averages almost 50 in ODI cricket..Always drops first paid a price for #BCCI 's politics & not have backing of captain & coach

— Harshad parmar (@Harshad9Parmar) April 15, 2019

Pretty harsh on Ambati Rayudu. KL Rahul has hardly had ODI opportunities. He is there only because India want a reserve opener.

— Narbavi (@Narbavi) April 15, 2019

India’s squad for the ICC #CWC19 announced: Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Vijay Shankar, MSD (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Shami

— BCCI (@BCCI) April 15, 2019

The side, expectedly led by Virat kohli, comprises five specialist batsmen, two wicket keepers, three fast bowlers, three all-rounders and two specialist spinners.

Squad:

Virat Kohli (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Vijay Shankar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Dinesh karthik, Ravindra Jadeja.