Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has shown his surprise after Dinesh Karthik was not included in India’s squad for the three-match T20I series against New Zealand. Karthik hasn’t been able to perform at his best in the three matches of the T20 World Cup.
The right-hander was dismissed for only two in the crunch situation in the big match against Pakistan. Karthik didn’t get to bat against the Netherlands but he could only manage six runs against South Africa.
Furthermore, Karthik is also doubtful for the clash against Bangladesh on Wednesday as he suffered a back injury while keeping against the Proteas. Rishabh Pant is expected to replace him in the playing XI.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “I have no idea what the absence of Dinesh Karthik means. Has he been rested or are the team looking for other options? The selectors will not comment on it since the World Cup is going on, but there is a good possibility that the team is heading in a different direction.”
On the other hand, the national chief selector Chetan Sharma revealed that Karthik has been rested to manage his workload.
Sharma said in the press conference, “We’re focusing on workload management. Dinesh Karthik hasn’t been picked, but he’s available for selection. We want to try a different setup after T20 World Cup. The doors are open for him.”
Meanwhile, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Kuldeep Yadav have been picked for the New Zealand tour ahead of Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Commenting on the same, Chopra said: “India are not playing a single wrist-spinner at the T20 World Cup, but they are taking three leg-spinners to New Zealand, and there is no Axar Patel as well. Suddenly we have gone back to wrist spin.”
India’s squad for New Zealand T20Is: Hardik Pandya (C), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (VC and WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Mohd. Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Umran Malik.
The first T20I between India and New Zealand will be played on 18th November in Wellington.
