The debate surrounding Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik has been raging since the time the latter re-ignited his career by evolving as a dashing finisher while the former suffered a steep decline in his form in the shortest format of the game. With T20 World Cup less than a month away, Team India has a tough decision to make: whether to play Pant and Karthik in the same XI or in case of choosing one wicketkeeper-batter, who should it be?
In the first T20I against Australia on September 20 (Tuesday), which India ended up losing by four wickets despite scoring 208/6 in 20 overs, Karthik got the nod ahead of Pant in the playing XI. The veteran batter couldn't make an impact and was dismissed for six runs off five balls. Karthik, who has been in and out of the playing XI, hasn't done justice to his pedigree in the last few innings. His scores in the last four outings read 6, 1*, 12, 6 and 7.
Former Australia opening batter Matthew Hayden was unimpressed with the playing XI fielded by Team India on Tuesday, which saw Karthik playing instead of Pant.
"Rishabh Pant would be picked in every side if I was the selector. He is just the future. He needs to be backed and needs time. Even if it's through runs or form, he should be there in my opinion. He is a superior player in pretty much every way and aspect," Hayden said before the start of the India vs Australia T20I for host broadcaster Star.
The match against Australia once again exposed India's weakness when it comes to defending totals in T20Is. While bowlers need to pull up their socks and do their job clinically, Rohit Sharma and the team management also need to figure out the best possible playing XI.
