IND vs PAK: Dinesh Karthik Should Be In The Playing 11: Robin Uthappa

Veteran Indian batsman Robin Uthappa believes that age should not be a consideration in squad selection. Instead, he believes that if one is performing, he should be given the opportunity.

Uthappa believes Dinesh Karthik should play in India’s forthcoming Asia Cup and T20 World Cup matches and believes he should be in the team anyway.

During the mega auctions in February, Karthik was signed by Royal Challengers Bangalore and given the job of a finisher. The seasoned right-handed wicketkeeper-batter took on that responsibility and produced the results that compelled the selectors to give him another chance to represent India.

Karthik has participated in each of the 17 games since rejoining the Indian team in June of this year. He was chosen to play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup last Sunday instead of Rishabh Pant (August 28).

Dinesh Karthik is easily one of the top 2-3 best finishers: Robin Uthappa

In 2007, under the leadership of MS Dhoni, Karthik and Uthappa were both a member of the Indian side that won the T20 World Cup for the first time. Karthik is among the top finishers in the world right now, as per Uthappa, who defended his former India teammate, and he should unquestionably be included in the starting XI for the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup matches.

“If you take out the age factor equation, then he is easily one of the top 2-3 best finishers for the country today who is still playing international cricket and has well and is doing well, he has done well in the IPL, so why shouldn’t he be there.”

“I don’t think age should be a criterion if you are performing the way he is, and much deservedly, so he is a part of the squad and I think he should be in the playing 11 no matter what, and for me, Dinesh Karthik will fit into any 11 in the Asia Cup and in the T20 World Cup happening in Australia,” he told a freelance journalist.

Karthik has played in 49 T20I matches for India in the past 16 years and has scored 592 runs at an average of 28.19 with a strike rate of 139.95. He also participated in India’s first-ever T20I match against South Africa back in 2006.

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