Dinesh Karthik, who is the skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) needs to bat up the order according to former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra. Chopra feels that the KKR captain needs to play well in at least two forthcoming IPLs to cement his place in final XI of the Indian team for the upcoming 2021 T20 World Cup.
Dinesh Karthik has played 26 Tests, 94 one-dayers and 32 T20Is besides appearing in 182 IPL matches where he has scored 3654 recording 18 half-centuries. He is fighting for a place in the Indian team with compatriots like Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul.
Dinesh Karthik Should Bat Higher Up The Batting Order : Aakash Chopra
Dinesh Karthik has been in and out of the team since debuting way back in 2004. Dinesh Karthik averages less than 35 in limited-overs compared to KL Rahul who averages 45. Rishabh Pant averages less than 30 in limited-overs although he averages 44 in Tests.
“I feel what you are saying is correct. He can definitely come back. But whether he will be able to do so?”
“First thing is he should bat up the order for KKR. Because he bats too low down the order and when you bat so low, then your turn doesn’t come. So he has to bat up the order so that he can make a lot of runs,” he added.
“Otherwise if he bats at No.5 even when he is the captain of an IPL team, he will not have that many runs so that he can stake a claim,” he further said.
KKR have a solid batting line-up with the presence of several stalwarts like Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan, Shubman Gill, Tom Banton, Rahul Tripathi and not to forget Andre Russell.
In fact on paper among 8 teams, KKR has the best batting line-up. The combination of picking 4 foreigners should be a problem though with Andre Russell, Eoin Morgan and Pat Cummins certainties if fit.
Dinesh Karthik Has To Play Two Good IPL To Be Back In Reckoning For India: Aakash Chopra
With Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson yet to grab a permanent place in the squad for failing to score big runs in limited-overs, KL Rahul is the primary choice for backup wicket-keeper. His ODI and T20I averages are around 45, unlike the others which makes him an easy pick in the final squad.
“Yes, he does well as a keeper. But don’t forget that at the moment the Indian team has KL Rahul as well apart from Rishabh Pant. So, if Dinesh Karthik wants to get a spot in the Indian team for the 2021 World Cup, then he will have to play two good IPLs,” Chopra further added.
“And in my opinion he will have to somehow manage to bat at No.4 in which case he can come in the team, there is no doubt about it,” the batsman said.
The 13th edition of Indian Premier League will begin from September 19th and KKR will look to win their third title. The final will be played on November 10th.