News
Robin Uthappa Vouches For Dinesh Karthik To Get A Node Ahead Of Rishabh Pant
By CricShots - Sep 6, 2022 3:25 pm
Views 60

The veteran Indian batter, Robin Uthappa has made his opinion pretty clear on the debate between Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik. He has vouched for Karthik to play ahead of Pant, who doesn’t fit into India’s current T20I setup. India started their campaign against Pakistan with Karthik in the side and the 24-year-old missing out. In the second game against Hong Kong, both men were in the side and Karthik missed out on a spot in the lineup during the recent Super Fours loss against Pakistan on Sunday.

Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant

During a recent chat on ESPNCricinfo regarding the wicketkeeper debate, Cheteshwar Pujara said that the team should stick with Pant as the team can’t change sides each and every game. He said, “I think they should stick with Pant if they want to back him. You can’t keep changing sides each and every game. If they were supposed to play DK, then he should have played the game against Pakistan. So I think they will continue with Pant.”

ALSO READ: Indian Fans Went Crazy As Urvashi Watches India-Pakistan Match Live From Stadium

However, Robin Uthappa had a contrasting opinion on the debate and said that he would select the veteran over Pant as he can play the role of a finisher. He also said that the 24-year-old’s best position in T20 cricket is when he bats in the top four.

Robin Uthappa explained, “My thoughts have always been the same. I think DK should play because he is a finisher. You need him to play that role. You can have Deepak Hooda to play that No.5 role that Rishabh is playing at this point in time. Because you have to consider that Rishabh’s success in T20 cricket has come when he has batted in the top four.”

Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa

He further elaborated, “Right now, there is no place in the top four for him. Why are we playing him just because we have to play him. Don’t we want Rishabh to thrive under the circumstances he plays in. You would want him to play in a position that is advantageous to him, not in a position that is disadvantageous to him.”

ALSO READ: Dasun Shanaka Opines India Plays To Dominate The Opposition

Robin Uthappa concluded saying, “Does he fit in the top four at the moment? He doesn’t. I would rather go for Dinesh Karthik down there. Say for instance, like something that happened with Hardik Pandya in the Pakistan match happens, you still have another finisher that can take that load. Otherwise, it is too much of a load for someone like Axar Patel to take on.”