India T20 WC Squad – Dinesh Karthik vs Rishabh Pant? At the India vs Pakistan toss, Rohit Sharma sprang in a surprise on Sunday. The Indian captain announced the playing XI, which had Dinesh Karthik instead of Rishabh Pant. The cricket world since than is in debate – has Dinesh Karthik trumped Rishabh Pant to be India’s No. 1 Wicket-Keeping choice? Will he be preferred for T20 World Cup playing XI ? Will Pant just be limited to play a role of 12th man till the T20 World Cup? Follow Asia Cup 2022 LIVE updates & ICC T20 World Cup Updates with InsideSport.IN
How Rohit Sharma defended his choice?
“We have preferred Karthik for today’s game. Rishabh Pant sat out today. Whatever is the need of hour we will do”
IND vs PAK Highlights: Hardik Pandya & Bhuvneshwar star as India AVENGE T20…
India T20 WC Squad: Has Dinesh Karthik TRUMPED Rishabh Pant as No. 1 choice in T20’s? Check what Rohit Sharma has to say? Follow Asia Cup 2022 LIVE
Dinesh Karthik vs Rishabh Pant? First thing First: With the inclusion of Karthik in the Playing XI, it is evident that Pant’s place in the XI is not guaranteed. Until the toss, Pant was the obvious choice, but the team management seems to have thought otherwise.
Now, it remains to be seen if Karthik will play all their matches in the Asia Cup. If he does, in all likelihood Karthik will be India’s number one keeper in Australia as well. Irrespective of what happens in the upcoming matches, no doubt, there is solid competition for the lone wicketkeeper in the Playing XI.
Always pumped to be a part of a #INDvsPAK clash. Happy to be off the mark with a win! pic.twitter.com/rDMicFXXpF
— DK (@DineshKarthik) August 29, 2022
Can they both command place in Playing XI ? It is important to note that Pant and Karthik have played in the same Playing XI more than once in the last six months. The management were exploring both the options before they zoom in on the player. Pant mostly played in various batting positions, mainly as a floater while Karthik played the finishers role only.
“If Rishabh and Karthik both have to play then I think you have to drop one of the top-order (batters), which is impossible. So, I don’t think both can make the playing XI,” Pujara said on ESPNcricinfo T20 Timeout.
One of the main reasons for playing one of either Pant or Karthik is to lend the team a perfect balance. It is also important to remember that when the two played together in some of the matches, someone or the other were missing. But the current bunch is their best group of batters, who will head to the T20 World Cup as well.
Rishabh Pant vs Dinesh Karthik in T20Is since May
| Players | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 50 | 4s | 6s |
| Rishabh Pant | 11 | 2 | 200 | 44 | 22.22 | 128.2 | 0 | 20 | 6 |
| Dinesh Karthik | 13 | 4 | 192 | 55 | 21.33 | 133.33 | 1 | 22 | 6 |
It is not wrong to say Pant has not been at his impressive best in the shortest format. Since May, he has not hit a single half-century. Compare that to Karthik, who has slammed one during the period. With Karthik being used as a finisher, an important element in any T20 team, the management seems to have given him the nod.
That also invites pressure on the veteran wicketkeeper. The man from Tamil Nadu is fully aware of the fact that failure in the Asia Cup could close doors to the World Cup, and possible his international career as well. As for the India vs Pakistan clash, Karthik did not get a chance to impress the management as he just faced one ball in the last over.
What the experts are saying?
Gautam Gambhir:
“I completely disagree with this choice. I think Pant as Left handed option should always be preferred over Karthik. Hope this choice was just one-off”
Wasim Akram:
“This was unexpected. Rishabh Pant is future. How you can make your future sit. He is currently the best wicket-keeper batsman of Modern ERA across formats. India made a mistake”
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