4 Reasons why Dinesh Karthik’s exclusion isn’t the end of the road for him

The World Cup is only a stone’s throw away and teams have already started pruning down their squads for the mega competition. The Indian team has been no different. After successful ODI tours to Australia and New Zealand, they now face the former on their own patch.

A total of 20 players were named for the ODIs and T20Is with several fringe players provided a chance to stake their claim. Yet, a decision that left the entire cricketing community flabbergasted was the omission of Dinesh Karthik from the ODI team.

The wicket-keeper has been in a rich vein of form and has adapted to whichever role the team management has asked of him. Moreover, he looked at home as the lower-order dasher during the tour Down Under. Thus, his exclusion caused more than a furrowed brow or two.

Distinguished cricket experts of the ilk of Sanjay Manjrekar went as far as saying that it might be the last we saw of Karthik in the ODI format.

Yet, I beg to differ and through this article, I would pen down four reasons which prove that the wicket-keeper is still a major part of India’s ideas for the World Cup. Here is a look at them.

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#4 KL Rahul has been given a final chance

KL Rahul made his return to the Indian fold

The latter half of 2018 and the early part of 2019 has been as tumultuous as any for KL Rahul. He failed to inspire in the Test arena and his dubious appearance on a TV show cast further doubt over his involvement with the Indian team.

He was slapped with a ban in January. He subsequently missed the white-ball series in Australia and New Zealand. After his suspension was lifted, he was asked to strengthen his credentials and the batsman did so by notching a couple of fifty-plus scores for India A. Thus, he was brought back into the fold for the home series against the Aussies.

When on song, there are very few batsmen who can rival Rahul’s effortless stroke play. Hence, the selectors gave in to the temptation of providing the opener with one last opportunity to prove his mettle.

Inevitably, someone had to miss out and Karthik was the one given the ax. Yet, if Rahul fails to set the world ablaze, Karthik could be back in the loop in a jiffy.

#3 India trying out different options with Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar impressed in New Zealand

The ban awarded to Hardik Pandya threw the Indian team’s plans into disarray for a while. Yet, the way Vijay Shankar stood up in his absence suggested that India does indeed possess another top-quality all-rounder.

While his bowling wasn’t tested to the hilt, his batting seemed to have come up by leaps and bounds. The memory Indian fans have of Shankar is him fluffing his lines in the Nidahas Trophy final. However, against New Zealand, he showcased that there is a lot more to his game than what initially met the eye.

The right-hander looks a classical batsman capable of batting anywhere across the order. Moreover, his bowling adds another string to his bow. With Kedar Jadhav highly injury-prone, the Indian team might also be flirting with the idea of Shankar at No.6.

At the said position, he would provide batting might while he would also be able to turn his arm over if the situation demands.

The epitome of a three-dimensional player, Shankar is being given another go to cement his place in the squad. And hence, Karthik found himself out of the fray to allow his state compatriot the ideal stage to display his talents.

#2 Rishabh Pant’s moment of truth

Pant is being given another chance to stake his claim

Rishabh Pant has taken the cricketing fraternity by storm after his belligerent performances in the Test arena. Blessed with the ability to annihilate the best of bowling attacks, his fearlessness has been refreshing for the Indian team.

Pant is a like for like replacement for Karthik. Both are wicket-keepers and the pair boasts of the ability to increase the scoring rate at the back end of an innings.

However, with Pant in the mix, the Indian team would possess a left-hander in the middle order to counter the threat that left-arm spinners and leg spinners might pose. Thus, India simply had to explore the option of Pant before narrowing down on their alternatives.

If Pant, Vijay Shankar and KL Rahul bring their A game to the fore, Karthik could well have played the last ODI of his career. Yet, the following is easier said than done. Thus, Karthik’s road to the World Cup has only hit a stumbling block and certainly not crashed into a boulder.

#1 Dinesh Karthik has already proven himself numerous times

Karthik has proven himself multiple times

The World Cup is around the corner and with international matches at a premium, one would expect the prospective squad players to feature in as many games as possible.

However, that yardstick doesn’t apply to a batsman like Karthik. The wicket-keeper has been around the international circuit and is a fail-safe option India can bank on. Moreover, he is the captain of his IPL franchise and should play at least fourteen games in the cash-rich league.

While Karthik would have liked a few India games under his belt, the Indian team were more inclined to give the others a platform to prove themselves.

If those selected at the expense of Karthik perform, it is highly likely that the lad from Tamil Nadu could miss out on the plane to England altogether.

Yet, with the experience Karthik brings to the plate, India were afforded the luxury to fiddle a little with their playing squad.

Thus, Karthik need not hang his head in disappointment yet. For all we know, the batsman could finish off the World Cup in style like a certain wicketkeeper did in 2011.