India’s triumph over Pakistan in the Asia Cup on Sunday has put the lid on a raging debate: the decision to include Dinesh Karthik in the playing XI at the cost of the more accomplished Rishabh Pant.
The think-tank had largely been driven by a pragmatic vision and it will be no surprise if head coach Rahul Dravid insists on continuing with Karthik, who has been fairly successful in the finisher’s role in the lead-up to the tournament.
As captain, Dravid had been part of many revolutionary selection issues though not all were logical. The former India captain had also readily agreed to keep wickets during the 2003 World Cup once he understood it added more balance to the team. To keep the gifted Pant out was “tough” as captain Rohit Sharma put it at the toss. But then the team’s interests were considered immense.
While Pant’s failure to create the same impact with the bat as Karthik in the shortest format led to him being sidelined, a lot will depend on the conditions and their current form. How Karthik adjusts to the bouncier wickets Down Under could decide his fate in the World Cup. Pant has had enormous success on Australian wickets on Test tours and will enjoy a slight edge.
The likes of Sunil Gavaskar had highlighted Karthik’s importance to the team following his stupendous performance for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL this season. Karthik, 36, finished with 330 runs at a strike rate of 183.33. He displayed abilities to turn things around in the last four overs, a role which needs specialisation in the demanding world of T20 cricket.
The series versus South Africa at home saw Karthik flourish in his new role. He finished with 92 runs in four innings, with a strike rate of 158.6 and a boundary rate of 3.8 balls. Eighty four of those runs came in the final overs including a strike rate of 186.7, with a boundary every 3.2 balls. Pant, in contrast, had a strike rate of just 105.6 and 57 runs in five innings. If India are to retain their top-3 batters in the form of Rohit, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, one among Pant and Karthik has to be benched.
If both have to be included in the XI, either Rahul or Kohli will have to sit out. Dravid has always been bold in his decision-making and reputations hardly matter to him. But a Rahul or a Kohli can singlehandedly change the course of a game on their day and none will risk keeping them out. Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya will retain their places because of the diversified roles in the team.
“I don’t think there’s any threat to Pant. It’s just that Rahul Dravid is giving everyone a chance. That is his style of functioning. He is assessing everyone before taking a final call,” former chief selector MSK Prasad told The Telegraph. Left-hander Pant regularly upset the bowlers’ rhythm at No.4 but in his absence the decision to promote Ravindra Jadeja proved to be a master-stroke.
If such a move clicks and Karthik continues with his sparkling form, it could mean a temporary halt to Pant’s aspirations in T20 cricket.
