Former India opener Gautam Gambhir believes that veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik will need to perform consistently in order to be considered for the T20 World Cup squad in 2022. However, Gambhir believes that if the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman wants to bat only in the last three overs, things will be difficult for him.
Dinesh Karthik was called up to the Indian team after an outstanding performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, where he helped the Faf du Plessis-led Royal Challengers Bangalore win several games (RCB).
I would not have Dinesh Karthik in India’s T20 World Cup 2022 squad: Gautam Gambhir
Dinesh Karthik’s heroics in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 for Royal Challengers Bangalore have given many Team India fans hope for the T20 World Cup this year. Despite the fact that the squad for the event has yet to be chosen, former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir does not believe Karthik will be on the flight to Australia.
Karthik’s 30 off 21 against South Africa in the second T20I was brought up by Gambhir. The fact that Karthik came after Axar Patel in the batting order, according to the former India opener, added to the value of the knock.
“It was very valuable (the knock), he has been doing that for the last 2-3 months for RCB. But, I was a bit amazed that Axar came ahead of Dinesh Karthik. I would’ve been more happy if he had come ahead of Axar,” Gambhir said.
When asked about Karthik’s chances of being selected for the T20 World Cup in 2022, Gambhir stated that the return of KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and others will make it difficult for Karthik to maintain his place.
“Too early to say. T20 World Cup is far ahead. He needs to consistently perform till then but if he wants to bat only in the last three overs, things could get tough. India will definitely be looking at someone in the top 7 who can bowl and if Axar is batting at 7, the team would be a batter short. In such a case I would not have him (Karthik) in the World Cup Squad. I would definitely have people like Rishabh Pant, and Deepak Hooda (in the team). We have got KL Rahul, we’ve got Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma. Once they come back, it’s going to be tough for Dinesh Karthik to find a place in the playing XI. If he doesn’t have a place in the playing XI, there’s no point giving him a place in the squad,” he said.
“Once KL, Rohit, Surya and Virat are back, I don’t see him in the playing XI. This will be your top 4 and then you’ll have someone like Hooda, Pant, Hardik, Jadeja. I will have a younger guy (in place of Karthik) who is a better fielder on those grounds and can probably chip in with a couple of overs as well,” he added.
Gambhir concluded by stating that Karthik will only be given a chance in the team if one of the top four batters is dropped by the BCCI selectors.
