ICC World Cup 2023: Dinesh Karthik Identifies Two Key Areas For India In World Cup Preparations

Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik highlighted two challenges for the Indian team management ahead of the upcoming ODI World Cup at home. Dinesh Karthik emphasized that India must address the issues during the Asia Cup 2023 in order to prepare well for the World Cup.

The Rohit Sharma-led team will play in the Asia Cup as part of their preparation for the World Cup. The Men in Blue are one of the contenders to to win the title in the six-team tournament. Following the conclusion of the Asia Cup, India are scheduled to host Australia for a three-match ODI series at home.

Who Is The Fourth Medium Pacer – Dinesh Karthik

During a Cricket World Cup commercial shoot with Emirates, Dinesh Karthik emphasized the need for India to identify their fourth seamer. Karthik said that Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj are obvious choices.

“There are two areas (India must identify at the Asia Cup). No.1. Who is the fourth medium pacer. We have Jasprit (Bumrah), we have (Mohammad) Shami and we have (Mohammad) Siraj,” Karthik said.

“We are sure about all of these three, but who is going to be the fourth? Is it going to be Shardul Thakur? Is it going to be Prasidh Krishna? Mukesh Kumar? Or are you going to go for the pace of Umran Malik?”

Shardul Thakur is likely to be the fourth-choice pacer in the World Cup squad after his impressive performances in the ODI series against the West Indies. He picked up eight wickets in three matches with an impressive average of 11.62.

Who Is The Back-Up Batter – Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik emphasized the importance of identifying a backup batter in the middle order, suggesting Suryakumar Yadav can excel against spin bowlers.

“Do we need a left hander? Do we look at Tilak Varma or is Suryakumar (Yadav) that option as he plays all the sweeps that are available in the game, makes it hard for spinners and is a very good player of spin as well,” he added.

“So who is the back-up batter. That is the next question. These are the two areas for me and I think these are the two big things India must be answering during this Asia Cup,” he concluded.