CWC 2019: Kevin Pietersen vouches for the inclusion of Vijay Shankar in the line-up

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Image Courtesy: Deccan Chronicle

Vijay Shankar has been a polarising figure for the fans and critics alike after a series of sub-par performances. The all-rounder was slotted in the line-up after Shikhar Dhawan’s tournament came to a premature end owing to a hairline fracture. 

Image Courtesy: Deccan Chronicle

The all-rounder’s World Cup journey has been off to a rough start. After bagging a wicket off his very first ball, things have gone only downhill for Shankar. The right-arm medium pacer is yet to deliver a solid outing in the crucial No.4 position for the Men In Blue. Shankar could only manage a couple of patchy innings’ against Afghanistan and West Indies.

While many have voiced their opinion about replacing Shankar off the line-up with either Dinesh Karthik or Rishabh Pant, Kevin Pietersen is not one of them as he pleaded Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri to back the 28-year-old in a tweet. He said:

“Dear Virat and Ravi (Shastri) — please don’t drop Vijay Shankar,” Pietersen said in a tweet on Saturday. “I think he’s coming into his own and would potentially win you tomorrow’s game.”

Pietersen also voiced his concern about Pant being thrown away right into the World Cup mix. He added:

“Don’t think about Pant. He needs another three weeks preparation before I think he can get into your World Cup side.”

Check out the tweet below:

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