Dubai: There has been a long-standing debate between veteran Dinesh Karthik and young Rishabh Pant over who should be India’s designated wicketkeeper-batsman ahead of the T20 World Cup starting next month in Australia. While the right-handed Karthik can lay claim to being a specialist finisher in the shortest format of the game, the immense talent of the left-armer has seen him garner support on several occasions.
Now former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes that India should try to put both Karthik and Pant in the same XI, which has happened on the first few occasions. Ponting said in the new episode of the ICC Review show, “I really think these two players (Karthik and Pant) are in the best team of India. I don’t care if they are both keepers, but I think their batting is enough. Rishabh in the middle order and Dinesh as the finisher, they look extremely dangerous to me.
Ponting believes that 24-year-old Pant is ahead of 37-year-old Karthik as he is likely to be given more chances in the team. Ponting has seen Pant as the head coach of Delhi Capitals in the IPL, where he captains. Look, I’m just going to take Rishab’s side because I think he might get a little more opportunity than Dinesh.
Ponting said pacer Jasprit Bumrah has an edge over Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi as he has previous experience of playing in Australian conditions. Asked to choose between Glenn Maxwell and Hardik Pandya as his favorite all-round pick, Ponting remarked that Pandya could make more impact with the ball in Australia. At the same time, he supported Maxwell to be more explosive with the bat.
Ind vs Aus: 4 smoldering questions, only victory will answer, Australia series will pave the way to become world championAus ODI captain: Not David Warner-Steve Smith, this will be Australia’s ODI captain, Ponting predictsIND vs AUS 1st T20: India’s clash with Australia today, so Rohit’s army is heavy on Kangaroos
Source: navbharattimes.indiatimes.com
: Language Inputs
This post is sourced from newspapers, magazines and third-party websites. For more information please check NewsDay Express Disclaimer.