Ahead of the T20I World Cup 2022, the Indian team management has a tough call to make as Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant, both have been named in India’s T20 World Cup squad. The Indian cricket team has picked Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik in its star-studded squad for the upcoming edition of the T20 World cup 2022 hosted by defending champions Australia. However, in all probability, only one of DK or Pant can make it to the playing XI. While a full-fledged debate has been going on, with several cricket experts and cricketers coming up with their opinions on the matter.
Rishabh Pant was dropped for India’s opening game of the Asia Cup 2022 against Pakistan with DK getting the nod ahead of him. In the next game against Hong Kong, with Hardik Pandya resting, both DK and Pant got a chance to play. Pant then featured in the game against Sri Lanka before he was replaced by DK against Pakistan during the Super-4 clash.
While he returned back in the game against Afghanistan, but he wasn’t included in the first T20I match against Australia at home, with the team management going for Dinesh Karthik. Pant was included in the 2nd T20I and was dropped in the 3rd T20I against Australia.
A full-fledged debate has been going on over the inclusion of DK or Rishabh in the playing XI, with several cricket experts and cricketers coming up with their opinions on the matter. Speaking at the post-match press conference after Team India’s thrilling win over Australia in the 3rd T20I on Sunday, Indian captain Rohit Sharma revealed that he wants Pant and Karthik to enjoy some game time before the World Cup. Rohit also pointed out that DK and Pant were earlier named in the Indian squad to play all matches of the Asia Cup 2022. He said:
“I wanted both of these guys to have a number of games under their belt before the World Cup. When we went to the Asia Cup both of these guys were in the fray to play all games. But I just feel that Dinesh needs a little more game time. He hardly got to bat (this series). Just maybe three balls. So that’s not enough time. Pant also needs game time obviously. But looking at how this series was it was important for me to just stick to that consistent batting lineup,”
After defeating Australia 2-1 in the three-match series, Rohit-led Team India will host South Africa for a three-match series in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup 2022. Team India will be locking horns with the series opener against the Proteas on Wednesday at the Greenfield International Stadium. He said:
“I don’t know what we’re gonna do against South Africa. We just need to go and see their bowling, what sort of bowling lineup they’ll play with, and who are the best guys for us who can handle that bowling lineup. It all depends on that. We want to be flexible in our batting. So if the situation or if the thing demands that we need a left-hander, we will bring in a left-hander if we need a right-hander, we will continue to do that. But we’ll try and manage those guys pretty carefully. I do understand that they need game time before the World Cup but there are only 11 players you can play, unfortunately,”
