Harsha Bhogle has never played professional cricket, yet he is one of the strongest voices in the game. A very renowned cricket commentator and writer, Bhogle is very active on Twitter, where he keeps posting about cricket and Indian cricket in particular.
Friday was no different. When India and New Zealand met for the first of their two-Test series, the biggest discussion emerging from the game was a young Rishabh Pant’s inclusion over Wriddhiman Saha in the playing XI in Wellington. While the Delhi keeper-batsman has not been in the best of form, the senior Bengal gloveman has proved himself as one of the best keepers in the world in the longest format of the game.
Twitter was abuzz with debates on why or why not Pant should have been rested in place of Saha. Bhogle on his part is completely against Virat Kohli and the team management’s decision to play Pant, that too in overseas conditions.
Bhogle expressed his views with the following tweets-
Don't get me wrong. This isn't about Pant. Just think in tests you pick your best five batsmen, best four bowlers, best keeper and think about a secondary skill for number six, if at all. I hope he does well because he is a gifted young player but feel for Saha. #Lastword. https://t.co/OJwatdbLeb
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 21, 2020
Don't get me wrong. This isn't about Pant. Just think in tests you pick your best five batsmen, best four bowlers, best keeper and think about a secondary skill for number six, if at all. I hope he does well because he is a gifted young player but feel for Saha. #Lastword. https://t.co/OJwatdbLeb
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 21, 2020
Bhogle batting for Saha could be because of the Bengal keeper’s seniority, experience, and form. Saha’s keeping was exceptional in the pink-ball Test in Kolkata in November last year but then he pulled an injury and remained out of the national set up until this game.
The first day of the Test’s last session was called off due to rain. India ended the day on 122 for five with Mayank Agarwal (34) and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane (38 batting) doing most of the job.
At the stop of play due to rain, Rahane was batting with Prithvi Shaw, who scored 10 runs and will be looking to convert that start tomorrow.
Bhogle, meanwhile, seems to be convinced that Pant no longer fits in the team India setup. But it remains to be seen how he performs in this Test.
