Why is KL Rahul keeping wickets instead of Rishabh Pant in India vs Australia Mumbai ODI?

KL Rahul keeping wickets instead of Rishabh Pant: The hosts surprised one and all by using a new wicket-keeper in the second innings.

During the first ODI of the ongoing Australia’s tour of India in Mumbai, India batsman Lokesh Rahul was seen keeping wickets for them in the second innings.

With regular wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant playing the match, the sight came as a baffling one for fans. Initially, it was assumed that Rahul keeping wickets was also part of an experimentation process which saw the hosts playing all the three opening batsmen in Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Rahul.

However, it was later announced by commentator Murali Kartik that Pant didn’t take the field in the second innings after coping a blow to his head in the first innings.

Pant’s dismissal saw him top-edging a short delivery from Australia spearhead Pat Cummins to his helmet before it was lobbed off to Ashton Turner at point. Having hit on the head, the southpaw is receiving treatment seems more of a precautionary measure.

Coming in to bat at No. 6 in the 32nd over, Pant ended up scoring 28 (33) with the help of two fours and a six. Having scored his 28th ODI half-century, 74 (91), with the help of nine fours and a six, Dhawan was the pick of the Indian batsmen today.

Australia captain Aaron Finch’s decision to field first was well-supported by his bowlers who bundled out India for 255 in 49.1 overs. With bowling figures of 10-0-56-3, Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc was their highest wicket-taker. While fast bowling pair of Pat Cummins and Kane Richardson picked a couple of wickets apiece, visiting spinning duo of Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar picked a wicket apiece.

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