Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid have finalized the playing XI for the ICC T20 World Cup contest between India and Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Much has been said about Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant’s place in the playing XI. Former Indian player Gautam Gambhir has warned captain Rohit Sharma.
Speaking to Zee before the start of India’s campaign, Gambhir said Pant is a better option than Karthik. Gautam said Karthik can only play as a finisher while the southpaw has more versatility as a batter. He also said picking Karthik would limit Indias’s options if they lose early wickets, as DK can only play in the death overs.
“Rishabh Pant should bat at No.5, Hardik Pandya at no.6, and Axar Patel at no.7. But the management is more interested in DK. Karthik has not shown interest in batting up the order. The right-handed batter can only bat in the death overs. If India lose wickets early, the management will have to send Axar early to safeguard Hardik. That’s why Pant deserves to play ahead of Dinesh,” he said.