Indian captain Rohit Sharma believes veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik needs some more game time under his belt ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022. The Men in Blue thumped Australia by six wickets in the third T20I to win the series 2-1.
Chasing a stiff target, Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli played superlative knocks of 69 and 63 respectively as Team India gunned down the target of 187 to win the third T20I by six wickets with one ball to spare.
Despite India’s win, the Men in Blues’ lower order was not tested much. Dinesh Karthik, who featured in all three games, didn’t get much time to showcase his prowess except in the second T20I.
The sweet taste of victory 💙
Well played Australia 👏#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/GES8zOxUtY— DK (@DineshKarthik) September 25, 2022
Incidentally, India have been alternating between Karthik and Rishabh Pant in their playing XI. While the young keeper was given the nod ahead of the veteran player in the Asia Cup, Karthik was picked for all three matches against Australia.
“I wanted both of these guys to have a number of games under their belt before the World Cup. When we went to the Asia Cup both of these guys were in the fray to play all games,” Rohit said at the post-match press conference on Sunday.
“But I just feel that Dinesh needs a little more game time. He hardly got to bat (this series). Just maybe three balls. So that’s not enough time,” Rohit added.
“Don’t know what we’re gonna do against South Africa” – Rohit Sharma on Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant debate
India will take on South Africa for a three-match T20I series, starting Wednesday and Rohit Sharma said Karthik and Pant’s inclusion in the playing xi will depend upon the situation.
“I don’t know what we’re gonna do against South Africa. We just need to go and see their bowling, what sort of bowling lineup they’ll play with, and who are the best guys for us who can handle that bowling lineup. It all depends on that.
“We want to be flexible in our batting. So if the situation or if the thing demands that we need a left-hander, we will bring in a left-hander if we need a right-hander, we will continue to do that,” he added further.
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