MSK Prasad on Dhoni: “He is our No. 1 wicket-keeper”

Dixit Bhargav | 12/10/2018
MSK Prasad on Dhoni

MSK Prasad on Dhoni: The Chief Selector disclosed that MS Dhoni remains India’s No. 1 wicket-keeper ahead of the World Cup.

The Indian squad which was announced for the first two ODIs against West Indies yesterday had no place for wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik. Having scored 146 runs in six matches at an average of 48.66 and a strike rate of 71.21 during the Asia Cup, Karthik might have felt hard done by with the selectors’ decision.

In the last 12 ODI innings which he has played for India, Karthik remained unbeaten on six occasions, scoring 50*, 64*, 4*, 26*, 31* and 1*. In the last two Asia Cup matches, he scored a sensible 44 and 37 on wickets where the others struggled in the middle overs.

Replacing Karthik, the selectors named uncapped Rishabh Pant in the side. Having impressed in Test matches in England and at home, Pant deserved this opportunity but whether it had to come at the expense of Karthik remained the big question.

During the squad announcement, Prasad was asked about the selectors’ future plan regarding the 33-year old Karthik. “It’s a no-brainer that who is our No. 1 wicket-keeper [in the ODIs],” the chief selector said about the out-of-form Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

“In the search of the second wicket-keeper, we have given opportunities to DK [Dinesh Karthik]. Right now, we are giving opportunities to Rishabh Pant and we can take a call at an appropriate time regarding who is the No. 1 among the two,” he added about the selection of the second wicket-keeper.

On being asked about if Pant was selected as a specialist batsman or as a wicket-keeper batsman, Prasad said that the 21-year old southpaw has been selected as a specialist batsman. However, he didn’t quashed the possibility of giving the wicket-keeping duties to him.

“Yes. Definitely, if the need arises, he will be our back-up wicket-keeper,” Prasad added.

Former India captain and current cricket expert Sunil Gavaskar was recently of the opinion that Dhoni should play domestic cricket more often. Recently, there were reports of him featuring in the tournament. Confirming those rumors, Prasad was quoted, “As of now, Dhoni is going to play [the Vijay Hazare Trophy] now.”

That being said, Prasad wasn’t aware of the reason why Ambati Rayudu wasn’t taking part in India’s premier 50-over competition. On being asked about the same, he said that he needs to confirm it himself.

Read some of the recent Twitter reactions regarding the ongoing second Test between India and West Indies:

 

Post Edited By: Dixit Bhargav
dinesh karthik MS Dhoni MSK Prasad rishabh pant

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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