BCCI’s Selected Committee on October 30 announced the squad for the upcoming T20I series in New Zealand. Though the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been rested for the series as they wanted to stay fresh for the Test series against Bangladesh, Dinesh Karthik (who only plays T20Is) also failed to nail down a place in the T20I squad.

Hardik Pandya will be leading the T20I squad and wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant will be the vice-captain. Dinesh Karthik was selected in the T20I side on the back of an other-worldly IPL as RCB’s finisher. However, he hasn’t been able to give the same finishing touches in the Indian Blue.

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In his 22 T20 innings since his comeback, Dinesh Karthik has amassed just 287 runs at an underwhelming average of 20.50. His 3 innings in the 2022 T20 World Cup 2022 have read 1(2), 5(13) and 7(5).

But interestingly, Dinesh Karthik has not been included in the squad due to his lean returns (or age). Team India is practicing workload management, claims Indian Chief Selector Chetan Sharma. Notably, the T20I series starts just 5 days after the final of the 2022 T20 WC.

Chetan Sharma said, “It is not like that (looking beyond DK). The World Cup would have just gotten over. It is basically on load management; we are focusing on it a lot. Planning on whom to give rest at the appropriate time. Dinesh Karthik, the way he came in the side and the way he performed, is always available for the selectors. The doors are open for him. He is a brilliant player. There is no problem at all.”

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Upon being inquired over the fitness status of Dinesh Karthik (who had to leave the field in the second innings against SA), Chetan Sharma kept hush and said the medical status of an Indian cricketer is not a public matter.