Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag wants Indian team management to drop Dinesh Karthik from playing XI and play Rishabh Pant for the remaining matches in T20 World Cup 2022. He believes that the southpaw has more experience playing in Australian conditions and should’ve been there since the first game.
“Rishabh Pant has played Tests and ODIs there and has performed and he knows how to perform in these conditions,” says Virender Sehwag
After his poor knock against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2022, Dinesh Karthik has come under the firing line. The keeper batter looked clueless against the Proteas as he managed just 6 runs in 15 balls.
Karthik failed in the game against Pakistan as well. He had a perfect opportunity to become the hero and win the game for his side. But he succumbed to pressure and perished for a low score to put India in trouble.
He played well for India in the build-up to the T20 World Cup 2022 and on many occasions gave India staggering finishes to help them end their innings on high. With him in great form, many backed him to perform well for India in the tournament as well. But this hasn’t been the case till now.
Dinesh Karthik doubtful for the match against Bangladesh. (Reported by PTI).
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 30, 2022
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On the other hand, Rishabh Pant has a staggering record in Australia and following Karthik’s failure calls have been raised to include the left-hander in the team. Notably, the senior keeper batter injured himself in the game against South Africa and he’ll likely miss the next game.
Virender Sehwag also batted for the inclusion of Rishabh Pant in the team. Lashing out at Karthik, he said that this isn’t Bangalore’s wicket and he has less experience with Australian conditions. Speaking to Cricbuzz, he said:
“This should have been the case from the first day. Rishabh Pant has played Tests and ODIs there, and has performed and he knows how to perform in these conditions. When did Dinesh Karthik last play in Australia, and when has he played on such bouncy wickets?
“This isn’t a Bengaluru wicket. I said this even today that Pant should’ve been in the team instead of Hooda, Pant has the experience of playing here. His Gabba innings is a legend,”
“Rishabh Pant should’ve been in the XI from the start,” says Virender Sehwag
Sehwag further suggested that management should play Rishabh Pant ahead of Dinesh Karthik. He said:
“I can only give them suggestion, it’s the management’s decision. If Karthik is fit, they will go back to him again. But according to me, Rishabh Pant should’ve been in the XI from the start.”
It remains to be seen who team management will play when India will take on Bangladesh on 2nd November in Adelaide.
Rishabh Pant Should Replace Dinesh Karthik 😡😡
— Amit Kumar (@AMIT_GUJJU) October 30, 2022
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