Karthik was considered the surprise choice in many quarters, given Pant holds the gloves in Test-match cricket for his country and is among the most explosive white-ball batsmen around
India plumped for Dinesh Karthik over Rishabh Pant in their World Cup squad because of the former's substantial experience on the international circuit.
Karthik was considered the surprise choice in many quarters, given Pant holds the gloves in Test-match cricket for his country and is among the most explosive white-ball batsmen around, but captain Virat Kohli believes the older player's understanding of big-game mentality will be valuable to his side in England this summer.
"In pressure situations, he’s shown composure," Kohli told the Times of India. "It was something that everybody on board was convinced about.
"He has the experience. If, god forbid, something happens to MS (Dhoni), Karthik can be immensely valuable behind the wickets. As a finisher, he’s done well.
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"So, it was the overall exposure to a tournament of this magnitude that was taken into primary consideration."
In reality, Karthik's opportunities at the World Cup will be limited, with Dhoni retaining the wicketkeeper's position barring injury.
"MS Dhoni is among the smartest guys in the game," Kohli said.
"Behind the stumps, he is priceless. It gives me the freedom to do my thing. Someone like MS is around with a wealth of experience.
"Those five-six years of extra experience he carries with him is phenomenal."
Posted by Wingedream on 17/05/2019 at 07:46
I would not be surprised to see him come in to sugment failed performances as the game progresses as a pure batsman to fill in for the failed opening batsman or a suspect spine -the indian middle order batting. Pant was too flamboyant even for the adventurist skipper Kohli.A certain sanity has been risked instead of the customary belligerence.
Posted by Wingedream on 17/05/2019 at 07:36
Pant was a replacement for Saha in Tests not the regular man.Pant's flamboyance and see the ball hit the ball approach has not quite helped the reliability quotient. Kartik is expected to play floater batsman for the much vaunted but vulnerable opening or the shaky middle order slots .His wicket keeping is not the essential reason but his varied experience did clinch his selection
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