Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team is playing a two-match T20 International series against Ireland ahead of their much-awaited England tour. Riding on Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan’s quick-fire fifties and Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal’s exceptional bowling spell, India won the first T20I by 76 runs.
Before the match, many experts as well cricket fans were left baffled in the first T20I by Virat Kohli’s team selection. In the first T20I, fans were expecting Dinesh Karthik or KL Rahul in India’s playing XI owing to their good form. However, Manish Pandey was preferred over Karthik and Pandey.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Virat’s decision:
The last time Dinesh Karthik played a T20 international for India……….
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 27, 2018
Pandey and Raina picked ahead of Rahul and Karthik, seriously Rahul not playing is ludicrous, if he was playing for other country, he would be in the top 5 batsman in the world. He’s talent is on par with Kohli, and yet we’re finding ways to waste it,
— Nithesh Sagar (@nithesh_sagar) June 27, 2018
Poor selection. Out of form Pandey getting opportunities always.. 😏
— R A M (@iam_AjithRam) June 27, 2018
Sir this is so annoying that KL Rahul and Dinesh Karthik have got no place in today’s playing XI
— Shrinidhi Anil Varna (@AnilShrinidhi) June 27, 2018
Dinesh Karthik gets dropped after winning the Nidahas tri-series.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) June 27, 2018
And Manish Pandey’s name on the team sheet ahead of Dinesh Karthik is unexplainable by the way. Beyond senseless call.
— Abhishek (@Sajjanlaunda) June 27, 2018
Drops Rahane (also the vc) from the test team on the basis of current form.
And then picks Manish Pandey ahead of KL Rahul & Dinesh Karthik who are in the form of their life.
Indian Cricket Team for you.#INDvIRE #IREvIND
— Peeyush Sharma (@peeyushsharmaa) June 27, 2018
Surprising call. Dinesh Karthik dropped by India. He won the Nidahas Trophy with a last-ball six, has been striking at 183.69 and not out in 7 out of 9 inns since his comeback for India last year. Also scored 498 runs at SR 147.77 in the IPL. #IrevInd
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 27, 2018
The second T20I, between India and Ireland, will be played on Friday and fans should prepare themselves for some major changes as hinted by Virat Kohli at the post-match press conference.
“…we are going to do a lot of experiments in the middle order…We are looking to give everyone game-time and want them to portray the qualities they possess because many guys go on tour and never get an opportunity to play,” Virat Kohli has said after the first T20I.