Irfan Pathan believes that current T20 World Cup hopefuls like Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma, who have been consistently playing for India, shouldn’t be overlooked in favor of Dinesh Karthik.
Dinesh Karthik, the seasoned wicketkeeper-batsman for Royal Challengers Bangalore, is making a strong case for his return to the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, thanks to his stellar performance in IPL 2024. With 226 runs from six innings at an average of 75.33 and a remarkable strike rate of 205.45, Karthik has caught the attention of fans and selectors alike.
However, former cricketer Irfan Pathan cautioned against prioritizing Karthik over younger talents, citing the need to avoid overshadowing players like Rishabh Pant. Pathan argued that while Karthik’s form is impressive, it’s essential to consider the broader impact on the team dynamics and the development of emerging players.
“As you said Dinesh Karthik played in the shadow of MS Dhoni. So now that MS is not playing anymore, you want Karthik to come in. Then by that logic, Rishabh Pant will be under Karthik’s shadow. Will that be right? If Rishabh Pant was not in form, then I would have said, ok, fine,” Pathan said on Star Sports.
“But here, in this case, I feel Sanju Samson is ahead of Karthik in the race for the T20 World Cup spot. Or Jitesh Sharma, who was recently playing for India. The current players. We should not forget that the current players who are in the regular scheme of things should not be sidelined just because another player is performing,” he added.
@DineshKarthik played a fantastic knock against @SunRisers in the #IPLFanWeekOnStar opener, and the talks about his #T20WorldCup2024 inclusion are buzzing. 🤩
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 16, 2024
📹 | Watch @IrfanPathan and @RayuduAmbati discuss if he should make the cut? 👀
Tune in to #KKRvRR in #IPLOnStar
Today… pic.twitter.com/op5RomFIUg
READ ALSO | Rohit Sharma Attends T20 World Cup Squad Selection Meeting; Hardik Pandya’s Inclusion in the Talks
The competition for the wicketkeeper slot in the T20 World Cup is intense, with Samson, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Ishan Kishan all showcasing excellent form. The BCCI faces a tough decision, needing to select only two from this talented pool for the tournament set to take place in the West Indies and USA starting June 1st.
Last Updated on April 16, 2024
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