ICC World Cup 2019: Dinesh Karthik Can be the Perfect No 4 for India Feels KKR Assistant Coach Simon Katich

Apr 16, 2019 at 5:44 PM

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ICC World Cup 2019: Dinesh Karthik Can be the Perfect No 4 for India Feels KKR Assistant Coach Simon Katich

Former Australia batsman and currently an assistant coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders, Simon Katich feels that KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik could be the perfect No 4 for India in the 2019 World Cup which is slated to be played in England and Wales from 30th May. Dinesh Karthik got a surprise call-up to the World Cup squad as he had missed India’s last ODI series in favour of Rishabh Pant. Hence it was expected that Pant will get the nod.

The MSK Prasad led selection committee went for a better back up wicket-keeper. MSK Prasad stated that Rishabh Pant was almost there but they decided on better wicket-keeping skills. Dinesh Karthik hasn’t been among the runs in the ongoing IPL. However, the Indian selection committee feels that the experience of Karthik might come in handy for the quadrennial event

Ever since the 2017 Champions Trophy, India tried several batters at No 4 but none has managed to grab their opportunity and make the position his own. Ambati Rayudu looked good in patches but his limited repertoire might have prompted the selectors to not include Rayudu in the World Cup squad. Simon Katich feels that Dinesh Karthik has the ability to spend time in the middle and also play the big shots. Hence he could be the ideal No 4.

Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik
Getty Images

“There is lot of talk around that No.4 spot, and he is a guy who likes to spend time in the middle. Once he is set, he is very hard to bowl to at the back end. He has got all the tricks and he does have the timing and power to clear the rope,” Katich said.

Simon Katich feels that it is the lack of opportunities in the ongoing IPL which hasn’t allowed Dinesh Karthik to score the number of runs which he would have liked. Katich added that whenever Karthik has got opportunities for India and KKR he has done pretty well.

“He can potentially bat higher. He has done very well as a finisher. There is no doubt he is in good form, he just needs opportunities. There is no doubt that when he has got opportunities, he has done well for India and KKR,” he concluded.

IPL 2019, Simon Katich, MS Dhoni, CSK, KKR
Simon Katich has hailed Dhoni’s role as a leader. Photo Credit: BCCI/IPL.

Dinesh Karthik has been around the Indian cricketing circuit before the emergence of MS Dhoni. However, he hasn’t been a part of any 50 overs World Cup squad yet. This will be the first time, Dinesh Karthik will be part of the 50 overs World Cup squad. He might also play in the XI as a premier batsman. Karthik will surely look to make a difference for his nation if he gets an opportunity during the quadrennial event.

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