Before the announcement of the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming Australia series, not many would have expected the surprise the Indian selectors have presented with. The forthcoming series against the defending world champions will be India’s last assignment before they fly out to England and Wales for the much-awaited ICC World Cup. Not surprisingly, there were some rumors that the MSK Prasad-led committee would refrain from making any big calls and would allow the players to get some more game time.
However, the current selectors once again sprung a huge surprise by dropping Dinesh Karthik from the ODI squad. In his place, the highly-rated Rishabh Pant has been recalled to the 50-overs side. But while Pant’s inclusion was very much on the cards, not many were expecting Karthik to get the boot and the reasons are obvious. For the last year or so, Karthik has been groomed as the finisher of the team.
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With MS Dhoni’s finishing abilities witnessing downhill in recent times, the team seemed to have pinned its hopes on Karthik. In return, Karthik has done a decent job performing that role, guiding India over the line in several close chases with the final of the Nidahas Trophy is one of the best. Since 2017 Champions Trophy, he has played 20 matches, scoring 425 runs at an average of 47.22 which includes eight unbeaten knocks.
Despite his impressive performances over the last 12 months, Karthik has been dropped for some unknown reasons and in the wake of the latest snub, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar feels it is the end of the road for Karthik in ODIs.
Taking to ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar said, “His fans will feel sorry because with the opportunity he has got, he has done as well as he could but I feel with this selection or non-selection of Karthik, India have told everyone that we look at Karthik as a T20 batsman and his 50-over future is over as far as we are concerned. The selectors are thinking just like me – World Cup, big stage, big match, 50-overs cricket, Dinesh Karthik. Ambati Rayudu by playing that innings in New Zealand when he put India on the track of recovery and got the team to get a big score. Dinesh Karthik hasn’t played that kind of an innings.”
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He further added, “He has mostly played the role of a finisher. So this is where the numbers are disregarded by the selectors, the captain, the management and they are thinking temperamentally so far what we have seen of Karthik, is he someone who will excite us a 50-overs cricket at World Cup and they have said no and I don’t grudge them for that.”
However, Karthik will be looking to impress in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) and revive his chances as the selectors are certain to keep a keen eye on the league as well as the wicketkeeper-batsman.
