Asia Cup 2018: Indian Selectors Conundrum – Dinesh Karthik or Rishabh Pant?
Aug 31, 2018 at 12:03 PM
The Indian selectors will face a difficult question when they will meet in Mumbai to select the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. One hard question they might have to tackle would be the choice between Rishabh Pant or Dinesh Karthik.
However, MS Dhoni will take the wicketkeeping gloves in the tournament but there could be tough competition between Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant.
It is going to be tough competition between Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik.
Karthik could not make the most of his opportunity in the red ball version when he failed with the bat in the first two Test matches against England. Thus, Rishabh Pant had replaced him in the third Test match at Trent Bridge which India won by 203 runs.
Pant was able to grab his opportunity with both his hands as he was able to take seven catches to set up a new record. The southpaw batsman also showed the stomach for the fight with the bat as he scored 24 runs. Pant is also playing in the ongoing fourth Test match at Southampton. Furthermore, he is likely to be in the playing XI for the final Test match at Oval.
In fact, Pant was able to mold his natural game and showed he could play according to match situations in the red ball version. Consequently, Pant has shown the promise to be future wicketkeeper for the Indian team in all the three formats of the game.
Pant brings dynamics whereas Karthik comes with experience.
On the other hand, Dinesh Karthik has been in good form in the white ball format of the game. He has a plethora of experience under his belt and can make the most of his opportunity.
The flamboyant right-hander had rescued India out of the troubled waters in the final of the Nidahas Trophy where he scored a quickfire 29 off just 8 balls. Furthermore, he had provided the finishing touches to the Kolkata Knight Riders while leading them in the IPL. The stylish right-hander had gathered 498 runs in the tournament.
Karthik was also part of the limited overs series against England. He could not find his place in the first two one-dayers. However, he made just 21 runs in the final and third ODI of the series, which India lost.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant scored a truckload of runs in the Indian Premier League as he amassed 684 runs to be second highest run-getter in the tournament. Pant is well known for his pyrotechnics and generally drives his innings in the topmost gear.
Subsequently, Pant also impressed with the bat while playing for the India A side on the tour of England. Thus, he was able to break into the Test side on the back of his performance for the India A side.
Consequently, it would be interesting to note who Indian selectors will back tomorrow (1 September) when they will select the squad for Asia Cup.