Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has slammed management for team selection in India’s last two encounters against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Super 4 stage of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022.
“He (Karthik) can’t finish games by sitting in the dressing room,” Virender Sehwag question’s Deepak Hooda selection
Indian team has been quite unpredictable with their team selection in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022. They have almost been knocked out of the tournament after their loss against Sri Lanka on Tuesday (6th September).
For the first two games in their group stage, India played Dinesh Karthik in the side but after Ravindra Jadeja was out of the team due to injury, the keeper batter was been benched with Rishabh Pant handling the keeping duties.
In the games against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Super 4, India went with only 5 bowlers and also added Deepak Hooda in the XI as the 6th bowling option. But the right-hander didn’t bowl in the two games and also had poor outings with the bat. He scored 16 off 14 in the first match and then registered just three runs.
Where is Umran malik (150km speed) ? Why Deepak chahar (top quality swing bowler )wasn’t there ? Tell me if these guys don’t deserve the chances ?? Why Dinesh Karthik don’t get chances consistently?? Disappointing
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 6, 2022
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As Hooda didn’t bowl in the two games, many have questioned India’s selection process and also lashed out at them for not giving Dinesh Karthik a chance in playing XI.
Sehwag was also baffled by India’s poor selection and in an interaction on Cricbuzz, he said:
“I can’t understand the logic of Hooda’s selection. You have already picked a finisher and have recalled him at the age of 37, but now you are not playing him. What sense does it make? He (Karthik) can’t finish games by sitting in the dressing room.” he said.
“If you want Karthik to play the World Cup, pick him for the remaining T20I games,” says Sehwag
In India’s tournament opener against Pakistan, when Karthik played ahead of Pant, it was quite evident who the team is giving preference to as a keeper in the XI. But their consistent chopping has raised many questions.
Sehwag said that India should play either Karthik or Axar Patel in the game against Afghanistan and if they want the senior batter to play in the World Cup, they should give him longer rope.
Rohit Sharma said, "Dinesh Karthik isn't out of the team because of form. We just wanted a left handed batter to take the pressure off. We'll have flexibility in the XI for a player like DK".
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 6, 2022
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“Give Hooda a break for the next game and play either Axar Patel or DK. Also, if you want Karthik to play the World Cup, pick him for the remaining T20I games. The selection committee must be clear over whether or not they are looking at him playing the World Cup.” He said.
For India to qualify now, they now need to win the game against Afghanistan and Pakistan should lose both their matches. In that case, they also need to have NRR higher than Afghanistan and Pakistan.