India’s vice-captain KL Rahul has revealed picking one between Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik is not going to be easy for the team management. Rahul shed light on the selection dilemma and added that the selection will depend on what kind of combination they want to play on a particular day.
The Indian opener stated that their selection will depend on what kind of surface they are playing and also the opposition they are facing.
India had played Dinesh Karthik in the first match of the Asia Cup against Pakistan ahead of Rishabh Pant. Team India then played both of these players in the match against Hong Kong when Hardik Pandya was rested.
However, when Ravindra Jadeja was ruled out due to a knee injury, Rishabh Pant was given the preference over Dinesh Karthik as the team’s think tank wanted a left-hander in the middle order.
“It really depends on what kind of combination we want to go with. It will always depend on firstly the surface that we’re going to play on. Secondly, the teams that we’re playing against. And yeah, these decisions are not easy,” he said.
Rahul further stated that both Pant and Karthik have different roles in the team. “Obviously, both of them are really high-quality players and they have been playing really well. Both of them to me do different roles. So for us as a team, and for the captain and coach, obviously at the leadership group, is to see what role we need on that particular day.”
Meanwhile, Dinesh Karthik has been consistently providing the finishing touches while Rishabh Pant hasn’t been able to grab his opportunities in the shortest format of the game.
India will play two more T20I series against Australia and South Africa before the T20 World Cup and it will be interesting to note whom they will back in the final XI.
The Rohit Sharma-led team will face Australia at Mohali on Tuesday.
