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: 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)
| Batsmen | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
| KL Rahulc Scott Mckechnie b Mohammad Gazanfar | 36 | 39 | 0 | 2 | 92.30 |
| Rohit SharmaC Aizaz Khan b Ayush Shukla | 21 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 161.53 |
| Virat KohliNot out | 59 | 44 | 1 | 3 | 134.09 |
| Surya Kumar YadavNot out | 68 | 26 | 6 | 6 | 261.53 |
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)
| Batsmen | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
| Nizakat KhanRun out by Ravindra Jadeja | 10 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 83.33 |
| Yasim Murtazac Avesh Khan b Arshdeep Singh | 9 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 100 |
| Babar Hayatc Avesh Khan b Ravindra Jadeja | 41 | 35 | 3 | 2 | 117.14 |
| Kinchit Shahc Ravi Bishnoi b Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 30 | 28 | 2 | 1 | 107.14 |
| Aizaz Khanb Avesh Khan | 14 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 107.69 |
| Zeeshan AliNot out | 26 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 152.94 |
| Scott MckechnieNot out | 16 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 200 |
Extras
6 runs
(B-0, LB-1, WD-3. NB-2)
Did not bat
Haroon Arshad
Ehsan Khan
Ayush Shukla
Mohammad Ghazanfar