Gambhir speaks against Pant in ODI squad: Former Indian cricketer was against the idea of including Pant in the squad for World Cup.
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There is no hiding to the fact that there is no confirmation on who will be India’s second wicket-keeper batsman alongside Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
Among the contenders, one out of Dinesh Karthik or Rishabh Pant should get a go. While there has been a lot of talk regarding the same in the recent time, there is also a slight possibility of India not choosing a second specialist wicket-keeper for the world event.
Tracking who has been preferred in the role since the Asia Cup last year, it was Karthik who started in the Playing XI alongside Dhoni. Having made some useful contributions, Karthik was left out for the ODI series against West Indies.
Pant, who had replaced Karthik back then, was seen making his ODI debut in the series. In three matches, Pant scored 41 runs at an average of 20.50 and a strike rate of 132.25. While he remains the foremost long-term option, poor numbers in 11 limited-overs innings at the highest level might work against him as far as the World Cup is concerned.
Furthermore, Karthik has played match-winning innings in the very limited opportunities which have come his way down the order. After sharing a 57-run unbeaten stand with Dhoni to seal the chase at Adelaide, Karthik had disclosed that the team management has assigned him the finisher’s role for now.
With India captain Virat Kohli also being impressed with the Karthik’s performance, one believes he might make board the plane to England ahead of Pant. Former India opening batsman Gautam Gambhir also opined on similar lines saying that Pant will have to wait for his opportunity.
“I don’t think so [if Pant will play the World Cup]. They’ve got MS Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik there. He [Pant] can wait for his opportunity. He’s obviously done well in Tests and he has got the right things with him.
“But if you have got MS Dhoni, who has just bagged the Man of the Series, he deserves to be there now. India needs someone like Dhoni and Karthik close to the World Cup. He’s been in decent form over the last four-five months and a couple of series,” Gambhir was quoted as saying by Sportstar.
The recently retired cricketer didn’t completely rule out Pant. Praising Pant for keeping the others on their toes, Gambhir added, “The good thing is Pant is keeping them [senior players] on their toes, which is always a good sign for Indian cricket. The youngsters are pushing the seniors.”
