Asia Cup 2018: India Should Play KL Rahul Ahead of Dinesh Karthik - Sourav Ganguly

Former team India captain, Sourav Ganguly is of the opinion that KL Rahul must replace Dinesh Karthik in India’s 50-over team especially keeping in mind the 2019 World Cup in England next year. He argued that KL is a much better batsman and hence, he should get included in India team for Asia Cup 2018.

However, Karthik has been part of India’s playing XI in all the three matches of Asia Cup 2018 so far. In the three games, he has scored one, 31* and 33.

Ganguly stated he respects all the players in the current team. However, he feels KL Rahul should always be there in the limited-overs side. He is a fantastic batsman and has proved about his prowess during the first T20I back in England.

Sourav Ganguly feels India should play KL Rahul ahead of Dinesh Karthik in the Asia Cup 2018

“I respect all the players in the current team as I myself have played the game for a long time, but I still feel that India should have gone for Rahul instead of Karthik,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by India TV.

“In England, everyone saw that Karthik couldn’t score runs. And if you are looking to build a team for the World Cup, Rahul and Rishabh Pant’s name should come before Karthik’s. The latter deserves to be in the team only if he is the wicket-keeper. Otherwise, Rahul is a far better player than him,” he added.

The former captain further feels the Indian batting line-up is pretty vulnerable without the presence of regular skipper Virat Kohli. The modern great got rested for the ongoing Asia Cup 2018 to manage the workload of the star player who has been playing continuous cricket in the last year or so. In his absence, opening batsman Rohit Sharma is leading the team.

Ganguly feels Indian batting is vulnerable without Virat Kohli

“The one thing that scares me is that the World cup is not far away, while the Indian batting without Kohli looks vulnerable. Dinesh Karthik’s career is on the wane; MS is not in his prime anymore, Kedar Jadhav and Ambati Rayudu are making comebacks,” Sourav Ganguly said.

“So, if you are playing four such batsmen who are not settled in this format and not a certainty in the team, then it looks like the selectors are compromising with quality in the side. So the mindset needs to change,” he added.

India had already won three of the three matches they have played so far in Asia Cup 2018.

However, India would take on Pakistan in Dubai on September 23rd in the super fours in the UAE.