Former T20 World Cup winner and team India’s fast bowler, Irfan Pathan, has chosen Rishabh Pant over Dinesh Karthik as team India’s first choice wicketkeeper for the World Cup.
Irfan Pathan believes that Dinesh Karthik had enough opportunities to represent India, and now it’s the right time that India should move forward with Rishabh Pant for the upcoming World Cup.
Dinesh Karthik has been in some red-hot form in this year’s IPL. The batter has played some unbelievable knocks this season down the order. However, in spite of that, Irfan Pathan said that Team India should go ahead with Rishabh Pant in the upcoming season.
In his interaction with Star Sports, Irfan Pathan said, “Indian cricket has tried Dinesh Karthik before. But it didn’t work for them. So, I think they have the right guy at the moment who is in form, as far as wicketkeeping is concerned and as far as middle-order is concerned. I think selectors will be on the same page. They would want to take someone like Rishabh Pant rather than think about Dinesh Karthik. He had his fair share of chances when it came to playing for India.
Unfortunately, in the last T20 World Cup, he did not do that well whenever he got the opportunity. I think Rishabh Pant is the guy whom you should take to the World Cup.”
Dinesh Karthik was last seen in India colors in the T20 World Cup 2022 after a phenomenal IPL season with the bat. However, the batter failed to put on a show in the World Cup, registering three single-digit scores in the three matches he played.
On the other hand, Rishabh Pant, who’s coming after a long break from cricket due to injury, has been in good touch. Rishabh Pant has so far scored 194 runs in five matches, including two half centuries.
Speaking of Rishabh Pant, Irfan Pathan said,
“After a long injury layoff, coming back, leading a side, wicketkeeping, and batting in difficult situations. Great news for Indian cricket! He is a match-winner. His white-ball cricket has actually gotten better. His Test cricket was always up there.”
