Cricket

    Jadeja’s quirky reply to ‘why didn’t Pant play?’ question leaves journalists in splits before playing against Hong Kong

    No Comments4 Mins Read

    Jadeja’s quirky reply to ‘why didn’t Pant play?’ question leaves journalists in splits before playing against Hong Kong

    Jadeja's quirky reply to 'why didn't Pant play?' question leaves journalists in splits before playing against Hong Kong
    Image Credits: https://www.sportstiger.com/

    Jadeja’s quirky reply to ‘why didn’t Pant play?’ question leaves journalists in splits before playing against Hong Kong: When India played against Pakistan, one decision that was surprising was the omission of Rishabh Pant from the Playing XI. Dinesh Karthik was selected to be the wicketkeeper batter for the team. Karthik was picked over Pant for reasons only the team management and captain Rohit Sharma can comprehend. But against Hong Kong, Pant could have definitely got a chance ahead of one of the top-order batters. 

    The Pant topic has been fresh in the minds of fans and reporters. This is why a journalist, during a press conference, asked Ravindra Jadeja why Pant did not play against Pakistan. The India all-rounder came up with a quirky reply.

    The reason for Dinesh Karthik’s selection over Rishabh Pant during India vs Pakistan match can only be explained by the team management and the captain himself. While Karthik was performing well with the gloves, he got no chance to bat much with Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya taking the team past the finish line. While the questions over Pant’s selection remain afresh, Ravindra Jadeja gave a quirky reply when asked about Pant’s non-selection for India vs Pakistan match. He said, “I absolutely don’t know this. This is a question out of my book.”

    Ravindra Jadeja discussed the team’s mindset before India vs Hong Kong match

    India’s match against Hong Kong was a mere formality for Rohit Sharma-led team. The match sealed their place in the super fours. India already was one step into the next round after beating Pakistan in their opening fixture. The last time the two countries met was during the Asia Cup 2018. The Asia Cup 2018 was played in the ODI format. Back then Hong Kong almost chased down India’s formidable total. 

    Even though India held a 2-0 advantage over their upcoming rivals, the T20I format was a completely different proposition. Hong Kong throughout the qualifiers has been showing that they are no pushovers beating the likes of Kuwait and UAE. The team secured the right to play against India and Pakistan. When Ravindra Jadeja was asked about the team’s preparations for the Hong Kong match, the all-rounder said that the team had not been taking the opponents lightly and would be playing with a positive mindset. He said, “We are going to play against Hong Kong with a positive mindset and we will not take them lightly. On a given day, anything can happen in T20Is. We will give our best and play positively,”.

    India vs Hong Kong

    India vs Hong Kong, Asia Cup 2022 Highlights: Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli scored a magnificent 98 runs off just 42 balls. Suryakumar remained unbeaten on a whopping 68 off 26 deliveries. His efforts had six fours and as many sixes. His strike rate was 261.53. Kohli, meanwhile, remained unbeaten on 59 off 44. Kohli hit one four and three sixes against Hong Kong. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul got off to a relatively quick start but were out soon. KL Rahul eventually fell for a 39-ball 36. Kohli and Suryakumar’s recovery effort pushed India to 192/2. 

    Squads

    India

    Rohit Sharma – Captain

    KL Rahul

    Virat Kohli

    Suryakumar Yadav

    Rishabh Pant –  Wicketkeeper

    Ravindra Jadeja

    Dinesh Karthik

    Bhuvneshwar Kumar

    Avesh Khan/R. Ashwin

    Yuzvendra Chahal

    Arshdeep Singh

    Hong Kong

    Nizakat Khan – Captain

    Babar Hayat

    Yasim Murtaza

    Kinchit Shah

    Scott McKechnie – Wicketkeeper

    Haroon Arshad

    Aizaz Khan

    Zeeshan Ali

    Ehsan Khan

    Ayush Shukla

    Mohammad Ghazanfar

    Match Information

    Venue – Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

    Weather – Clear

    Toss – Hong Kong won the toss and chose to field

    Result – India defeated Hong Kong by 40 runs

    Player of the Match – Suryakumar Yadav from India

    Umpire – Ahsan Raza – Pakistan, Gazi Sohel – Bangladesh, and Asif Yaqoob Pakistan

    Referee – Jeff Crowe – New Zealand

    Scorecard

    India – 192/2 (20.0)

    BatsmenRunsBalls4s6sStrike Rate
    KL Rahulc Scott Mckechnie b Mohammad Gazanfar36390292.30
    Rohit SharmaC Aizaz Khan b Ayush Shukla211321161.53
    Virat KohliNot out594413134.09
    Surya Kumar YadavNot out682666261.53

    Extras

    8 runs

    (B-1, LB-0, WD-5, NB-2)

    Did not bat

    Rishabh Pant –  Wicketkeeper

    Ravindra Jadeja

    Dinesh Karthik

    Bhuvneshwar Kumar

    Avesh Khan

    Yuzvendra Chahal

    Arshdeep Singh

    Hong Kong – 152/5 (20.0)

    BatsmenRunsBalls4s6sStrike Rate
    Nizakat KhanRun out by Ravindra Jadeja10121083.33
    Yasim Murtazac Avesh Khan b Arshdeep Singh9920100
    Babar Hayatc Avesh Khan b Ravindra Jadeja413532117.14
    Kinchit Shahc Ravi Bishnoi b Bhuvneshwar Kumar302821107.14
    Aizaz Khanb Avesh Khan141320107.69
    Zeeshan AliNot out261721152.94
    Scott MckechnieNot out16821200

    Extras

    6 runs

    (B-0, LB-1, WD-3. NB-2)

    Did not bat

    Haroon Arshad

    Ehsan Khan

    Ayush Shukla

    Mohammad Ghazanfar

    Related Post