The current selection panel led by MSK Prasad has axed in-form batsman Dinesh Karthik from the ODI squad. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant, who failed to get going in the one-day format, has been recalled to the side meaning selectors have finalized him for the World Cup.
In the wake of Dinesh Karthik’s latest ouster, former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar feels it is the end of the road for the right hand batsman in ODIs.
“His fans will feel sorry because with the opportunity he has got, he has done as well as he could but I feel with this selection or non-selection of Karthik, India have told everyone that we look at Karthik as a T20 batsman and his 50-over future is over as far as we are concerned,” said Manjrekar in conversation with ESPNCricinfo.
“He has done well in the opportunities he has got, but he has been around for a long time and the selectors are thinking just like me – World Cup, big stage, big match, 50-overs cricket, Dinesh Karthik. Ambati Rayudu by playing that innings in New Zealand when he put India on the track of recovery and got the team to get a big score. Dinesh Karthik hasn’t played that kind of an innings.
“He has mostly played the role of a finisher. So this is where the numbers are disregarded by the selectors, the captain, the management and they are thinking temperamentally so far what we have seen of Karthik, is he someone who will excite us a 50-overs cricket at World Cup and they have said no and I don’t grudge them for that,” he added.