After being named as one of two designated standbys in India's Cricket World Cup 2019 outfit, Rishabh Pant will be hoping to make his appearance in the ongoing tournament held in England and Wales. The 21-year-old has been reportedly called up to fill in the void left by the injured Shikhar Dhawan (not as a replacement). Also, his call up has sent social media spiralling down into the abyss of humorous banter and memes.
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The left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman was slotted with Ambati Rayudu as the two designated standbys.
It is highly probable that KL Rahul will fill in the void left by Dhawan, partnering Rohit Sharma. It was earlier revealed that the left-handed batsman would undergo precautionary scans to determine the extent of injury on his swollen left thumb.
Dhawan received the injury during India's win over Australia in the competition. He played through the pain after being hit on the thumb by a rising delivery from pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile.
After the scans, physio Patrick Farhart took the call to not use Dhawan for three weeks. The Delhi Capitals player could be back before the Bangladesh fixture.
After Dhawan's injury made the news, it was revealed that legends like Sunil Gavaskar prefered the Delhi lad, while Gautam Gambhir wanted Rayudu to fill in for Dhawan.
Here are the hilarious reactions to Pant's call up:
Rishabh Pant rushing for his flight after hearing about Shikhar Dhawan ðÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ#CWC19 #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/7ZNIvm0II7
— FlashScore.in (@FlashScore_IN) June 11, 2019
Rishabh Pant right now.. #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/e3mruSM0gP
— Loveyouall_007 (@loveyouall_007) June 11, 2019
After #ShikharDhawan injury...
— Engineer_हà¥ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂà¤Â (@black_snake10) June 11, 2019
Rayudu: I Can Replace
Rishabh Pant: pic.twitter.com/otAHgS579r
Shikhar Dhawan is out for 3 weeks due to thumb injury. #ShikharDhawan
— Lord Duffer-In (@British_Viceroy) June 11, 2019
Meanwhile Rishabh Pant. pic.twitter.com/mdMBTAgKVP
Rishabh Pant waiting for BCCI call#ShikharDhawan #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/4ptezaems9
— Dhavan Kadia (@dhaone110) June 11, 2019
Rishabh Pant after hearing about Shikhar Dhawan's injury pic.twitter.com/6IrPsWFkCG
— Sir Yuzvendra (@SirYuzvendra) June 11, 2019
Rishabh pant when he gets to know Dhawan is going to stay at the worldcup#Pant #DhawanRuledOut pic.twitter.com/U1vSWuD8Sa
— Sir Ajinkya Rahane (@Pantbatsman) June 12, 2019
Rishabh Pant Right Now After #ShikharDhawan Injury ! pic.twitter.com/RVZOJCoWgW
— Babu Bhaiya (@Shahrcasm) June 11, 2019
#ShikharDhawan#RishabhPant
— Jagriti Gambhir (@iamjagriti_) June 11, 2019
With Shikhar Dhawan gone, BCCI to Rishabh Pant: pic.twitter.com/v71Sif41EY
The memes range from Akshay Kumar to Game of Thrones, and more berserk images are expected to traffic Twitter today! Pant made his India debut on February 1, 2017; at the age of 19 years, 120 days. Will he make his World Cup debut, or will just be a bench warmer?