New Delhi: There is a debate on the inclusion of Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant in Team India’s playing 11. But Australia’s legend wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has supported Rishabh Pant. Gilchrist has said that left-handed wicket-keeper batsman Pant should be in the playing XI.
Team India has not yet decided who among Karthik and Pant should be given a place in the playing 11. While Karthik can be a amazing finisher in this format, Pant’s importance being a left-handed batsman cannot be denied. However, Pant’s T20 record is not very impressive.
Gilchrist said, “The bravery and courage with which Pant faces the opposition bowling, I think he should definitely be in the playing XI. Both can play together but I believe that Pant must be in the playing XI.”
Ponting also supported Pant
Karthik played in the first match against Pakistan in the recently held Asia Cup but Pant was brought into the playing XI in the next match against Hong Kong. In the Super Four matches, Pant played against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan but in the first T20 against Australia in Mohali, Karthik was selected.
Although Gilchrist backed Pant, he also admired Karthik’s finishing skills and believes the two can play in a team.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes that India should try to put both Karthik and Pant in the same XI. This has happened on the first few occasions as well. Ponting said in the ICC review show, “I really think that the best players in India’s team are Karthik and Pant. I don’t care if they are both keepers, but I think their batting is enough. Rishabh in the middle order and Dinesh as a finisher can be extremely dangerous.”
