Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir was not happy with the team’s selection for the Asia Cup match against Hong Kong. India played Rishabh Pant in place of Hardik Pandya and Gambhir felt it was not a like for like replacement for replacement.
Gambhir wanted Deepak Hooda to be part of the final XI as he could have contributed a few overs with the ball.
Meanwhile, Dinesh Karthik was given a nod ahead of Rishabh Pant in the high-octane clash against Pakistan. However, both Pant and Karthik played against Hong Kong and Hardik Pandya was rested to manage his workload.
“I disagree to have Rishabh Pant instead of Hardik Pandya. I would have definitely had someone like Deepak Hooda, who can bowl a couple of overs as well”, Gambhir told Star Sports.
“That’s more of a like-to-like replacement as well and he (Hooda) hasn’t done anything wrong. So for me, Rishabh Pant should play, but instead of Dinesh Karthik. If you are resting Hardik Pandya, then I think Deepak Hooda deserves a go”, Gambhir added.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant didn’t get to bat in the match against Hong Kong as India posted an above-par score of 192 runs after losing only two wickets.
On the other hand, Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan were expensive in their bowling spells as they conceded a total of 97 runs in the eight overs they bowled collectively. In fact, Virat Kohli was given the ball by Rohit Sharma and Deepak Hooda could have been given a couple of overs had he played.
Ravindra Jadeja and Yuzvendra Chahal conceded only 33 runs in the eight overs they bowled collectively and thus Hooda would have definitely made a difference with his off-spin.
Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and India have qualified for the Super Four of the Asia Cup while the winner of the match between Pakistan and Hong Kong will join these three teams in the next stage of the Asia Cup.
