T20 World is only one week to go and experts have already started their speculation regarding this mega event. Meanwhile, for team India, the debate over Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant is still on.
Indian cricket management is giving more and more opportunities to Dinesh Karthik. Since Asia Cup to T20 series against Australia, Karthik was the first wicketkeeper choice for Team India. However, former Indian batter Suresh Raina feels that Rishabh Pant who is said to be the X-factor of team India will get 1-2 games in the world cup for sure.
“He’s an important player. He has done it (made runs previously) in Australia. He’s scored hundreds there and won the Gabba Test for us. He’s an X-factor because if you see from 1-6, there’s no leftie batter. So, how they are going to use him, it’s very important. He’s a very good player and knows how to bat in pressure situations. Hopefully, the management must be thinking about how to bring him in. So, in one or two games, you could see him playing again,” Raina was quoted as saying by Zee.
Raina further added that since Ravindra Jadeja is out of the tournament due to a Knee injury, one solid left-handed batter is needed in the playing XI. With Axar Patel in the place of Jadeja, Pant as left-handed batter can add extra value.
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“I would say the presence of a left-handed batter would be very important in the middle. From No. 1-6, we don’t have a left-hander and I’m sure the opponents will have two-three left-handed bowlers. We have seen it in the past – 2007, 2011, and 2013 – the role Gauti, Yuvi Pa, and I played. When Yuvi Pa and I played, we would scare the opponents. Now Rahul and Rohit will have to decide how they have to go about it. I’m sure they must be thinking over it, but whoever they play, we have to win. You need to bring the X factor with Hardik and who can be the X factor? I think Rishabh being a left-hander could be better,” Raina told PTI.
