Here’s Why Gautam Gambhir Doesn’t Want Dinesh Karthik In India’s T20 WC 2022 Squad: Veteran keeper-batter Dinesh Karthik impressed one and all with his finishing skills for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League. He gave consistent performances throughout the season and won many games for his side.
All thanks to his performances, Dinesh Karthik was recalled by the BCCI into the Indian setup for the ongoing 5-match T20I series. DK made a return to the playing XI for the Rishabh Pant-led side in the ongoing 5-match T20I series. Though, he got just 2 balls to face, however, he showcased his finishing skills in the second T20I match. His performances have given many fans hopes for the upcoming T20 World Cup this year.
While he has been receiving praises from all corners and several former cricketers have backed him for the upcoming T20 World Cup this year, former Indian cricketer and world cup hero Gautam Gambhir doesn’t feel that Karthik will be on the flight to Australia.
Gautam Gambhir On Dinesh Karthik’s Performance In 2nd IND vs SA T20I
Speaking on Star Sports’ show Match Point, Gambhir was asked about DK’s 30 off 21 against South Africa in the second T20I. While Gambhir agreed that DK’s knock was quite valuable, but he isn’t happy with the fact that he came out to bat after Axar Patel. He said:
“It was very valuable (the knock), he has been doing that for the last 2-3 months for RCB. But, I was a bit amazed that Axar came ahead of Dinesh Karthik. I would’ve been more happy if he had come ahead of Axar,”
Gambhir On DK’s Place In T20 WC Squad
When asked about DK’s possible selection for the upcoming marquee event, Gambhir pointed out how the return of KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, etc. will make it tough for Karthik to hold on to a spot. He said:
“Too early to say. T20 World Cup is far ahead. He needs to consistently perform till then but if he wants to bat only in the last three overs, things could get tough. India will definitely be looking at someone in the top 7 who can bowl and if Axar is batting at 7, the team would be a batter short.”
He added: “In such a case I would not have him (Karthik) in the World Cup Squad. I would definitely have people like Rishabh Pant, and Deepak Hooda (in the team). We have got KL Rahul, we’ve got Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma. Once they come back, it’s going to be tough for Dinesh Karthik to find a place in the playing XI. If he doesn’t have a place in the playing XI, there’s no point giving him a place in the squad,”
Further, explaining his point, Gambhir feels that the only way DK can make it to the playing XI of the Indian side for the T20 World Cup 2022 is if the selectors decide to drop one of the top 4. He said:
“Once KL, Rohit, Surya and Virat are back, I don’t see him in the playing XI. This will be your top 4 and then you’ll have someone like Hooda, Pant, Hardik, Jadeja. I will have a younger guy (in place of Karthik) who is a better fielder on those grounds and can probably chip in with a couple of overs as well.”
He added: “Karthik, unfortunately, will have to miss out unless and until the selectors make a huge call and drop one of the top four,”
