New Delhi: Dinesh Karthik, veteran wicket keeper batter who was preferred by Indian team in most of the crucial matches of Men's International T20 World Cup 2022, said that Rishab Pant, the young wicket keeper batsman should be given the opportunity to open the innings for India as he can go gung-ho in the powerplay.
"We know one thing for sure, Rishabh Pant's ability to play shots. And when the field is up, he can go gung-ho in the powerplay so we can give him the opportunity to open. Interestingly, his strike rate is highest when he opens." He said.
"He likes the field up, he likes to take on bowlers and put them under pressure. He is second to none when it comes to stroke play and has baffled a lot of international bowlers of high pedigree. We need to embrace the fact that there will be a few failures from him, but he is a terrific player," Karthik was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
Karthik was facing criticisms from the fans, as he is preferred over Pant for most of the matches in T20 World Cup, but couldn't contribute a fruitful inning to the team. Though Pant was brought in for the last Super 12 game against Zimbawe and semifinal against England, but didn't leave much impact.
Pant is currently a part of the T20I squad for the series against New Zealand, where he's deputy to stand-in captain Hardik Pandya. The left-handed batter opened the batting for India just twice in T20Is this year, coming against England at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge, making scores of 26 off 13 balls and one off five balls respectively.
With India picking Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill for the three-match series, there remains a mystery over Pant getting a chance to open the batting.
Karthik feels that giving Pant the required role clarity in T20Is and a fixed role is the need of the hour for the Indian team management building up to the T20 World Cup 2024.
"We do need a left-hander, but where do we play him? We know what Kohli does at No.3. Let's not even talk about Suryakumar Yadav, he's the best in the business in the world. Immediately we come down to Pant at No.5. Do we want him to bat there or let see if we can give him the opportunity to open," He said.
-IANS with Inputs