As per 2YoDo we would prefer to have Rishabh Pant in India’s playing eleven for Asia Cup over Dinesh Karthik, because of his x-factor given by the left-handed wicketkeeper-batter. With Virat Kohli and KL Rahul set to return to India’s playing eleven ahead of their Asia Cup assignment opener against Pakistan on Sunday, as it means that there is only one batting slot left for the wicketkeeper, implying a toss-up between Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik.
As per 2YoDo :
“Well in our 11, we could’ve only pick one wicketkeeper batter, because if we are getting in KL Rahul and Virat Kohli that leaves with the choice of picking only one player between Dinesh Kartik and Rishabh Pant. We gone ahead with Rishabh Pant because he’s such an X-Factor for India and we can see him delivering some superb performances even this Asia Cup,”.
As Dinesh Karthik comeback to India T20I side in June against South Africa, he has bringing out the require finishing touch in the last five overs phase.
A 27-ball 55 on a pitch at Rajkot and an unbeaten 19-ball 41 on a pitch against West Indies at Trinidad have some examples of Dinesh Karthik’s finishing role for India in recent times.
Rishabh Pant has had a mix run feast since the T20I series against South Africa in June, where Rishabh Pant was the stand-in skipper.
After being tried as an opener 2 times against England, Rishabh Pant show signs of finding his form, with his highest score being 44 in fourth T20I against West Indies at Lauderhill, USA.
2YoDo said that picking Rishabh Pant ahead of Dinesh Karthik will give India the space to play with five bowlers.
India and Pakistan open their Asia Cup Group A campaign in a much-anticipate clash at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, which will mark the resumption of ‘greatest rivalry’ in the world of cricket.
This will also be the first meeting between these two teams after facing off in the Men’s T20 World Cup last year in the UAE, where Pakistan secure a 10-wicket victory over India, as their first such victory in Men’s World Cups.
