Sunil Gavaskar Reveals Surprise Pick For India's Backup Opener In ICC World Cup 2019

Former India Sunil Gavaskar has revealed a surprise candidate for India’s reserve opener for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019. While Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are arguably the best opening pair in limited-overs cricket in the world at the moment, a reserve opener is more than important for such a big tournament. The team-management, however, is low on option especially due to KL Rahul’s poor form in recent times.

However, Sunil Gavaskar feels India should try out Dinesh Karthik as the back-up opener. Karthik has been tried as floater throughout his career and is being currently tried out as a finisher. He has impressed on few occasions but inconsistency continues to make things tough for him. Moreover, the likes of MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Ambati Rayudu and Hardik Pandya are definitely above him in the pecking order .

On Wednesday, Karthik squandered another chance to impress the selectors.  He walked out to bat in the first T20I against New Zealand when India were reeling at 65 for 4 while chasing 220. However, he lasted only 6 balls as India suffered a heavy 80-run defeat. But despite Karthik’s inconsistency, Gavaskar feels the Tamil Nadu man is a suitable candidate for the reserve opener.

“I am looking at him [Dinesh Karthik] as the third opener for the World Cup. Look you need to have spare operner. I will look at him as a possible third opener,” Sunil Gavaskar told India Today.

“He has opened the batting for India in Test cricket and yes we so far we have only seen him in limited over cricket as a finisher. Particulalrly taking it into account the Nidhahas Trophy final (in Sri Lanka against Bangladesh) which gave India the trohy. “ Gavaskar added.

Most of India’s batsmen failed on Wednesday as the team was all out for just 139 while chasing an improbable 220. MS Dhoni top-scored for the tourists, scoring 39.