ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Dinesh Karthik Or Rishabh Pant? Sunil Gavaskar's Opinion On India's Wicketkeeper For T20 World Cup

Updated - 24 Sep 2022, 05:01 PM

Dinesh Karthik-Rishabh Pant T20 World Cup 2022
Photo Credit: (AFP)

Over the last month or two, there has been a lot of discussion about the wicket-keeper spot between Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik. Throughout Asia Cup 2022, the debate has engaged Indian cricket fans and former players.

Even in the T20I series against Australia, the buzz continues. Dinesh Karthik played in the opening T20I against Australia but did not make an impact with the bat. Rishabh Pant got a chance to play in the 2nd T20I match in place of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. It is still exciting to see who will keep the stumps in the T20 World Cup. Gavaskar feels that both Pant and Dinesh Karthik can play in the same team.

“Yeah, I see both of them playing. Hardik at 5, Pant at 6 or maybe Pant ahead of Hardik depending on the situation and Karthik at 7, “Gavaskar said on Star Sports ahead of second India vs Australia T20I in Nagpur.

Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant (Image Credits: Twitter)
Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant (Image Credits: Twitter)

Rishabh Pant Has To Improve His Off Side Game – Sunil Gavaskar

The legendary cricketer wants Rishabh Pant to improve his off-side play in T20s, giving the example of Hardik Pandya so that he does not struggle to pre-determine his shots.

Sunil Gavaskar Rishabh Pant T20
Image Credits: Twitter

“His offside game. Same with Hardik Pandya as well. Look at how he has developed his off-side game. Bowlers will say he’s got the power, so let’s target his off-side. What Hardik Pandya is doing now is using the pace and hitting over deep point for a six, that’s what Pant has got to do. Pant is a predetermined, premeditated cricketer. He decides quite often what he is going to do before the ball is bowled. That’s why he gets into trouble as he looks for something which is not there, “he added.

Dinesh Karthik played 51 T20Is for India, scoring 598 runs at an average of 27.18 and a strike rate of 139.71. Meanwhile, Pant has scored 934 runs in 58 matches at an average of 23.95 and a strike rate of 126.39.

Also read: IND vs AUS: Daniel Sams Would Be Upset If You Call Him Left-arm Spinner: Dinesh Karthik

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Hardik Pandya ICC T20 World Cup 2022 India National Cricket Team Rishabh Pant Sunil Gavaskar