Indian veteran Dinesh Karthik, who impressed one and all with his sensational performances and emerged out as the best finisher, isn’t having the greatest of runs in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. DK has only managed to score just 14 runs in four games at an average of 4.66. Owing to his poor form, there are many who are questioning his place in the team.
In the game against Zimbabwe on Sunday, Rishabh Pant was given an opportunity to play after warming the bench for the first four games, however, he endured a poor outing and got dismissed cheaply for just three runs.
As Rohit Sharma and Co. are all set to take on England in 1st semi-final match on Thursday, the debate surrounding ‘Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant’ has once again become one of the major talking points.
Among many, former head coach Ravi Shastri meanwhile, has backed Pant over Karthik for India’s semi-final tie against England. Calling him an ‘X-Factor’, Shastri said:
“Dinesh is a lovely team player. But when it comes to a game against England or New Zealand, just seeing their attack, I think you need a robust left-hander, who can turn it on and a match-winner and a left-hander,”
He added: “He has done well against England. He recently won a match on his win against England, a one-day game. I would go with Pant, not just because he played here, but because of the X-factor angle, he can bring to the semi-final.”
Furthermore, Shastri explained how Pant can exploit the short boundaries and playing conditions in Adelaide Oval, where the semi-final match will be played between India and England. He said:
“You are playing in Adelaide, short boundaries square, another reason why a left-hander should be there to disrupt the England attack. If you have too many right-handers, there is a sense of sameness to it. England have a nice attack, a varied attack of left-handers and right-handers.”
He added: “You need a left-hander in your team, who can be dangerous and win you a game in the back overs even if you have lost 3 or 4 wickets at the top,”
