4 players who are likely to replace Dinesh Karthik for Asia Cup 2018

Cricket is always a harsh game. One day it makes you a hero and the other day it leaves you in the bowl of soup. The latest one who could possibly get into that list would be Dinesh Karthik. Adding his injury to the lacklustre form, he might lose the place in the upcoming Asia Cup 2018.

Meanwhile, there are few youngsters who are eagerly waiting to get back into the team at any cost. Off all, we figured four players who can do the job for India in the ODI format of the game.

Here are the 4 players who are likely to replace Dinesh Karthik for Asia Cup 2018:

4. Kedar Jadhav –

The Maharashtra cricketer could possibly get a go in place of Dinesh Karthik for this Asia Cup 2018. Kedar Jadhav has been out of the team for quite a while now due to his injury concerns.

Finally, he found his fitness back and played decent enough in the recently concluded Quadrangular series 2018. As he used to be the regular member in the side, Team India could possibly welcome him in place of Dinesh Karthik.

Apart from his batting heroics, Kedar Jadhav has got the bowling hand as well. He can deliver those off-spinners with his unusual action with a minimal economy. It might help Kedar Jadhav to keep his nose ahead in the selections.

However, it would be interesting to see whether selectors rely their trust on Kedar Jadhav or not. Meanwhile, he can also be used as the finisher for the team especially, when MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandys fails to deliver.

3. Ambati Rayudu –

Perhaps, one of the unluckiest Indian cricket. When he was at his peak form, there was no slot left for Ambati Rayudu. Now, again, when he got back his form, the yo-yo test halted his chances.

However, he is back in the domestic cricket to play the quadrangular series and played decent enough as well. Probably, he might grab the place in the Indian team in place of Dinesh Karthik for Asia Cup 2018.

Recently, Ambati Rayudu took IPL 2018 by a storm. He smashed all the records and the bowlers from across the world to show calibre to the world. Rayudu’s magical performances gained him a call-up for the England tour.

Just when things looked like going positively, the fitness test became a considerable barricade for the youngster. His fitness levels couldn’t match to the minimum Yo-Yo scores which saw him out of the squad.

2. Manish Pandey –

Almost all, Manish Pandey fixed his place in the Asia Cup 2018 to represent India. He had a glorious Quadrangular series 2018 recently and possibly, he will take the role of that middle-order batsman.

He locked the selectors from all side to pick him at any cost. Manish Pandey scored 306 runs without being beaten once in the tournament. Adding to it, all those scores came while batting at number 4 for the team.

With that slot becoming a huge loophole for India, Manish Pandey’s form would push the selectors and the team management to test him. It might even draw controversy if selectors overlook the performances of Manish Pandey.

All in all, the Karnataka batsman got back to the form when it mattered the most. Probably, he would get the chance in starting XI if picked in the squad.

1. Rishabh Pant –

The Delhi lad is having a dream year. He smashed all the records in Indian Premier League and was the chief run-scorer for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy as well. He was then picked for India- A where he outclassed Englishmen.

His incredible performances under the watchful eyes of Rahul Dravid made a way for him in the Indian senior team. Though he couldn’t find a place directly in the starting XI, the injury coupled with the bad form of Dinesh Karthik ensured him a place at Trentbridge.

He surprised one and all with his second ball six to get off the mark and then took brilliant catches behind the stumps as well. All in all, it was glorious last 12 months for Rishabh Pant in his cricketing career.

Meanwhile, he could find a place in the Asia Cup as well. His aggressive batting will suit the ODI format and probably, a like-to-like replacement for Dinesh Karthik as the back-up Keeper for MS Dhoni in the team.