'This team is joke now...' - Fans bash Indian management following Rishabh Pant's exclusion from ODIs against Bangladesh

Rishabh Pant’s exclusion from the ODI squad of India just before the start of the first ODI against Bangladesh has left everyone in shock and speculation over the strategies of the Indian team management. Apart from that, their tactics for managing the team during important series and tournaments are also under the scanner.

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Although, the Indian cricket Board hasn’t given any clear reason behind Pant’s exit from the team. The board only came up with a statement that the 25-year-old has been released from the ODI series. Although, he will be there in the plans for the Test series against Bangladesh.

“In consultation with the BCCI Medical Team, Rishabh Pant has been released from the ODI squad. He will join the team ahead of the Test series. No replacement has been sought. Axar Patel was not available for selection for the first ODI,” read the tweet posted from the official Twitter handle of the Indian cricket Board.

A media report understood the Delhi batter talked with the management to release him from the ODI series.

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“Rishabh Pant requested the team management to release him from the ODI squad. There are no disciplinary issues nor any COVID-19 situation,” states the CricBuzz report.

But it seems that fans are not satisfied with this media report and they came up with some harsh comments and went on to say that Pant is dropped rather than being released from the squad.

Here’s how fans reacted:

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Really Rishabh Pant said to team management to release him 🤣 everyone knows he is dropped

— Roshmi 🏏 (@CricGalRoshmi) December 5, 2022

Sometimes to hunt the prey lion has to take 2 steps back https://t.co/O1fUa9KqXg

— Cover drive (@Viratkafan23) December 5, 2022

It's a shame that this team management or the selectors didn't give Rishabh some time off from the game. The guy has hardly taken a break from Cricket. Even when He wasn't playing, he was part of the squad. Glad that He took this call by himself. Hopefully, it will help his game. https://t.co/8ion6ovkq3

— Aditya (@Adityakrsaha) December 5, 2022

Pata chala gaya drop hogaya...kyun watter bottle carry kare https://t.co/UXBE3V3nZB

— sAgar (@crickkl) December 5, 2022

This team is a joke now...why didn't he communicate this bwfore leaving for warm ups...these players really don't know the value of wearing the Indian jersey! https://t.co/O5cPkF8V99

— SoN! 🦋💫 || Ignore & Fly 😌🥂 (@fanatic_devil16) December 5, 2022

This team is becoming shambolic on all levels..

— Gagan Chawla (@toecrushrzzz) December 5, 2022

Pant was currently in the headlines of social media for his arrogant conversation with the renowned Indian cricket analyst and commentator, Harsha Bhogle. It all started when Harsha compared Pant with the former blistering Indian opener Virender Sehwag. Bhogle went on to stress that the former’s record is better in Test cricket rather than white-ball cricket despite being so flamboyant.

Here's a look at Pant's conversation with Harsha Bhogle:

Rishabh Pant interview with Harsha Bhogle before 3rd ODI against NZ talking about rain, batting position, stats and scrutiny over T20i performance & WK drills. #NZvINDonPrime pic.twitter.com/TjOUdnPTCz

— S H I V A M 🇧🇷 (@shivammalik_) November 30, 2022

Pant could get appear in only two matches during the recently concluded 20-20 World Cup where he couldn’t deliver up to expectations and go back to the pavilion only scoring single-digit scores in both matches.