IND vs PAK LIVE: ICC T20 World Cup 2022 LIVE: Indian Playing XI vs PAK – Even before India hit the nets session in Melbourne, the Playing XI is all but set. And if you are a Rishabh Pant fan, it’s not good. The young wicketkeeper-batter is all set to be booted for veteran Dinesh Karthik for Pakistan clash. Even though Karthik’s form has dipped significantly of late, Rohit Sharma & Rahul Dravid are determined to utilise the finisher’s role. As per information coming in from Melbourne, Karthik is set to don the big gloves against Pakistan in the mega clash on Sunday. Follow India vs Pakistan LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
In the two warm-up games India played against Western Australia XI, Pant returned with 9 runs each. He was then benched for Dinesh Karthik against Australia in the warm-up match. With India’s warm-up against New Zealand washed out, Pant didn’t get a chance to prove himself.
IND vs PAK LIVE: Big UPDATE from the team India camp, Rishabh Pant set to sit out as Dinesh Karthik is TEAM’S CHOICE for Indian Playing XI vs Pakistan: Follow ICC T20 WC LIVE
While Karthik did not fare better either in the two practice games and warm-up against Australia, he has done enough to keep Pant out of the Playing XI. DK scored 19, 10 and 20 in the three games. As per Team India sources in Australia, Rishabh Pant has already lost the team’s trust and won’t be in the Playing XI for the Pakistan match.
In 2022 alone, Dinesh Karthik has scored 273 runs off just 181 deliveries he has faced in 19 innings. For Pant, he has scored 338 runs in 17 innings but it’s not the role Team India wants. Karthik has excelled in the finisher’s role, scoring at a strike rate of 150.82. For Pant, although he scores at 136.84, his role at No 5 isn’t something that the team management wants.
IND vs PAK LIVE: Rishabh Pant vs Dinesh Karthik – who gets the call?
- In 2022 so far, Rishabh Pant has managed 338 runs in 17 innings at an average of 26.00.
- He has got just one half-century batting at No 5 or as an opener, scoring at 136.84.
- For Dinesh Karthik, he has done reasonably well at No 7, scoring at 150.82.
- It’s the strike rate that is important as he gets to bat only in the death overs.
- Middle-order muddle: Rishabh Pant’s place in the team is even more difficult with the crowded middle order.
- If Pant gets in, India lose an all-rounder at No 5-6.
- Axar Patel and Deepak Hooda or even R Ashwin are all important players because of their all-round abilities.
- Karthik on the other hand has a specific role to hammer from the first ball in the last few balls.
- As Pant has failed to do that, he hasn’t done himself any favour.
IND vs PAK LIVE: Big UPDATE from the team India camp, Rishabh Pant set to sit out as Dinesh Karthik is TEAM’S CHOICE for Indian Playing XI vs Pakistan: Follow ICC T20 WC LIVE
India will have three practice sessions on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the MCG. But barring any last-minute injury, Dinesh Karthik is set to retain his place in the Playing XI at No 7. As India’s Top 5 are set, it is the No 6 and No 7 that are up for experimentation. However, Team India are unlikely to tinker that for a massive game like India vs Pakistan. Axar Patel will bat at No 6 while Karthik will be at No 7.
The other two decisions India have to take are Harshal Patel or Mohammad Shami and Yuzvendra Chahal or Ravichandran Ashwin. The two places will be settled after Saturday’s practice session.
India Playing XI vs Pakistan
- Rohit Sharma (Captain)
- KL Rahul
- Virat Kohli
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Hardik Pandya
- Axar Patel
- Dinesh Karthik (WK)
- Ravichandran Ashwin / Yuzvendra Chahal
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Mohammad Shami/ Harshal Patel
- Arshdeep Singh
India T20 WC Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh. Standby Players: Mohammad Shami, Shreyas Iyer, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur
IND vs PAK LIVE: Big UPDATE from the team India camp, Rishabh Pant set to sit out as Dinesh Karthik is TEAM’S CHOICE for Indian Playing XI vs Pakistan: Follow ICC T20 WC LIVE
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