Dinesh Karthik Storms into T20 World Cup Contention; Pressure on Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul
Dinesh Karthik has thrown his hat in India's T20 World Cup Squad selection debate with a whirlwind knock of 83 off just 35 balls in the RCB vs SRH game, thus putting pressure on Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul and Jitesh Sharma
It is the T20 World Cup selection season and how can Dinesh Karthik not be one of the names doing the round? After Rohit Sharma’s World Cup tease during RCB vs MI game, Karthik made a strong statement as a finisher with a whirlwind knock of 83 off just 35 balls in the RCB vs SRH game
Karthik booked his ticket to the 2022 T20 World Cup on the back of a stellar IPL campaign and even though he did not do much in that edition, there is no denying that the veteran will be among the names in the discussion for India’s squad for T20 World Cup when selectors, coach, and captain meet to finalise the squad
However, that puts pressure on the younger, and, at least at this point, more likelier candidates to make the Indian T20 squad for the World Cup. First on that list will be Rishabh Pant, who is coming off a lengthy injury layoff. In the six matches he has played for Delhi Capitals so far at No.4 he has managed 194 runs, striking at 157.72
Next in line is Ishan Kishan – backup wicketkeeper and more importantly – first choice or backup opener. Kishan also took time away from cricket, and like Pant has similar numbers. In 6 matches Kishan has 184 runs to his name striking at 178.64
We now move to someone with an outside chance – KL Rahul. Once again, keeper-cum-opener or top-order bat – Rahul has over 200 runs in 6 matches for LSG but at an underwhelming strike rate of 138.77.
Next comes Jitesh Sharma, one of India’s newest T20I debutants and a designated finisher, but for PBKS Sharma has struggled to get going this season with 106 runs in 6 matches with a strike rate of 130.86
Then comes the enigma, ‘Chetta’ Sanju Samson, While social media and fan following of Samson is probably the best among his contenders, the RR skipper this season has reaffirmed the faith of his believers clobbering 264 runs in 6 matches, striking at 155.29 with the help of three fifties batting at the top of the order for his franchise.