IND vs PAK: "Dinesh Karthik Or Rishabh Pant": Sunil Gavaskar Names His Choice For India’s Playing XI In T20 WC

Sunil Gavaskar, a batting legend, on Monday chose a wicketkeeper-batter who may just be India’s “automatic choice” for the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup in Australia, adding his opinion to the never-ending Dinesh Karthik-Rishabh Pant debate.

Ahead of the ICC T20 World 2022, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has not been able to secure his spot in the starting lineup despite being the only left-handed batter among India’s six batting positions.

Gavaskar, a former India skipper, reflected on Pant’s magnificent performance against Australia in Brisbane as he discussed his thoughts on India’s starting lineup ahead of the warm-up game at The Gabba. During the 2020–2021 Border–Gavaskar Trophy, Pant’s outstanding batting performance against the Baggy Greens enabled India to enter Australia’s fortified Gabba stadium.

“These matches will undoubtedly give us an indication; this is where he made history, chasing over 330 in the fourth innings to win a series against Australia.” So this is a venue where he will be delighted to play.”

“Unfortunately, there are no World Cup games over here. But if he scores runs here, bats well, and gets a chance to bat and scores a 20 or a quick 30, he becomes an automatic pick in your team,” Sunil Gavaskar told Star Sports.

Sunil Gavaskar explained why Pant has an advantage over Karthik:

The recently finished practice match between India and Australia at The Gabba did not include Pant, who is known for his incendiary batting style across all formats of the game. Unavailable Pant was spotted sitting on the sidelines with an ice pack wrapped around his knee as veteran Dinesh Karthik, quite predictably, took the gloves.

The batting expert Sunil Gavaskar also clarified why Pant is more likely than Karthik to be selected for the Indian XI at the T20 World Cup. Gavaskar continued,

“You take into account all of this when looking for the final XI. And if you’re a left-hander like Pant, who is batting well, then you pick him. Because as you said, a left-hander makes a difference to the opposition’s bowling, the opposition captain’s plan, all the field setting, and all the ground dimensions” Sunil Gavaskar said.

On Wednesday, Team India under Rohit will play against Kane Williamson’s New Zealand after defeating Australia. On October 23, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, India will face Pakistan in the first game of the Super 12.

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