Rishabh Pant Replacement: Who can replace injured Rishabh Pant after he is ruled out from 2nd ODI against Australia due to concussion.
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India faced a huge blow after Rishabh Pant has been ruled out from the 2nd ODI against Australia to be played in Rajkot on 17th January because of a concussion he faced after the ball struck on his head in the first ODI.
It was earlier reported that Pant will not travel with the team and will reach separately to Rajkot from Mumbai. But in a recent update, it has been confirmed that Pant will not participate in the second match against Australia.
Pant is set to travel to Bengaluru for rehabilitation following the standard concussion protocols. Pant is the first international from the country, who has been ruled out after ICC put the concussion protocols in place.
“He (Pant) is ruled out of the 2nd ODI. His availability for the final ODI will be based on how he responds during the rehabilitation protocol,” BCCI said in a statement.
Pant was replaced by KL Rahul behind the stumps, as the former did not participate in the field in the second half of the match. After getting hit on the helmet by a Pat Cummins bouncer, the delivery that brought about his dismissal.
“After getting hit on his helmet while batting in the 1st ODI, Rishabh got a concussion and took no further part in the game. He was then taken to the hospital for overnight monitoring under a specialist.
“He is stable and all his scan reports are clear. He has been discharged from the hospital and will head to NCA, Bengaluru to undergo his rehabilitation protocol,” the release further stated.
Since the third match is in Bengaluru on January 19, it is expected that a call can be taken after observing his physical condition in the next 72 hours.
Who will replace Rishabh Pant in the Second ODI
Indian team faced a catastrophe after skipper Virat Kohli experimented to come at number 4 while promoting KL Rahul before him and maintaining the opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.
It resulted in the Indian batting line-up crumbling down in quick succession. Now, Kohli will have to promote himself back in the lineup by putting himself back into the 3rd place, which will need alterations in the team from the 1st ODI match.
Sanju Samson back in the line-up
For a like-to-like replacement for Pant, Kohli might have to bring Samson into the team for the game at Rajkot. The wicket-keeping batsman has been denied opportunities into the team as Kohli has preferred Pant over him on many occasions.
Moreover, in the chances he has been given, he has not been able to turn around his fortune with his performance. But Pant’s exclusion brings him into the team.
However, if Samson comes in either KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan or Kedar Jadhav will have to be excluded, and in this situation, Rahul or Dhawan can most probably face the axe, as India would be needing Shreyas Iyer at 4 and Jadhav at 5.
Currently, Samson has gone with the India A team on a tour to Newzealand. It seems impossible to call him at such short notice, hence this plan doesn’t seem to be practical for the captain.
Kl Rahul as wicket-keeper restores batting line-up
KL Rahul handled the gloves in the absence of Pant and continuation of it in the next match seems much convenient. With this, Jadhav will be able to enter into the line-up to play the role at number 5.
But this means Shikhar Dhawan would be removed by Kohli as Rahul would most probably start the innings with Rohit Sharma in the next match.
This sounds to be a bit more practical under the current situation. For long India had a problem at number 4 position and now Shreyas Iyer seems to be a long term solution for it, hence, the team might have to take a hard call of dropping experienced players.
Maintain the order with Kedar Jadhav
No Indian team fan would like Virat Kohli to play at the number 4 position once again. The Indian skipper has his worst record at that position only, hence he has to be promoted.
It seems to be illogical to waste the best batsman in your team by bringing him out of his suitable position. Nevertheless, this also remains as an option, where just Jadhav comes into the team and India repeating the same batting order from the last match.
