Former Indian cricketers Ambati Rayudu and Irfan Pathan were involved in an argument regarding the selection of veteran keeper-batter Dinesh Karthik in the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. The debate sparked after Dinesh Karthik’s impressive performances for RCB in the ongoing IPL 2024.
Notably, Dinesh Karthik has been in some stellar form off-lately in the ongoing season of IPL. DK has been delivering consistently with the bat, particularly towards the end of the innings, ensuring that his side finishes strongly in almost every game he has played.
On Monday, DK was at his best again as he showcased his brilliance in the game against SunRisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Despite a huge target of 288 runs, DK played a sensational inning and ignited hope among the fans with his explosive batting performance as a finisher.
During the game between MI and RCB, India captain Rohit Sharma playfully remarked to Dinesh Karthik about his determination to make it to the World Cup squad, seeing his fiery performance for RCB.
Ambati Rayudu Backs Dinesh Karthik For T20 World Cup
Now following Karthik’s impressive knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Ambati Rayudu expressed his support for the RCB batter’s inclusion in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. Rayudu believes that Karthik has a golden chance to conclude his career on a high note. Speaking on Star Sports, he elaborated:
“I have seen him from a young age. He is very talented. He has always remained under the shadows of MS Dhoni and hence did not get consistent opportunities. Probably, one last time, he could become a match-winner for India, and he would have that golden opportunity to end his career with the World Cup and help India win that trophy. I feel India should take him to the World Cup.”
Irfan Pathan Picks Sanju Samson As His Keeper-Batter For T20 World Cup 2024
However, Irfan Pathan disagreed with Rayudu, stating that while DK is in an excellent form, but he feels that representing India is a completely different challenge. He explained:
“See, I must praise Dinesh Karthik. He is looking in top form. But Indian cricket is on a different level. The World Cup is a different level. There you don’t get uncapped players bowling to you. There are no impact-player rules in the World Cup. There are only 11 players. So playing there is a different pressure altogether.”
Rayudu then replied “This is the ball. This is the white kookaburra ball. Karthik is a seasoned player.”
Pathan then stated: “There is facing Jasprit Bumrah and then there…,” to which Rayudu responded: “Karthik just hit Pat Cummins for a six.”
Further, Irfan highlighted the difference between performing in the IPL and on the international stage. He preferred Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson over Dinesh Karthik for the Indian team.
“There is a lot of difference between facing an uncapped player and a seasoned bowler. You just said he played under the shadows of Dhoni. So now that Dhoni is not there, you want him to play and put Pant in his shadows. Is that right? Had Pant not been in form, I would have agreed. But I feel I would have Samson ahead of Karthik now. We must put aside the current players, who are in the scheme of things, because another player is in form now.”
Pathan took a jab at Rayudu, suggesting that as a CSK player, Rayudu may prefer experienced players, but that approach may not be suitable for the Indian team. He said:
“This person is a CSK player. CSK players always want senior cricketers to be part of the team, and make it a Dad’s army. But this is Indian cricket.”
Rayudu then stated: “Imagine India needs 12 runs to win, and Karthik scores both those sixes and the team wins.” To this, Pathan concluded: “There is nothing better than India winning.”
