India vs Afghanistan test: 3 Indian players who will use this game to cement their place in the team

Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik has been knocking on the doors of the Indian team for many years. In the limited opportunities he has received as a wicketkeeper or just as a batsman, he hasn’t done too badly. The 2007 tour of England comes to mind where DK proved to be a pretty handy batsman in tough conditions.

With their regular wicket-keeper, Wriddhiman Saha out of this test match against Afghanistan due to injury, Dinesh Karthik has been called up as his replacement in the Indian squad. The question to be asked is will the selectors opt for him ahead of Parthiv Patel?

Parthiv Patel has had it hard as a wicket-keeper in recent times for India. His inability to read the spinners effectively has come in the radar. He may be higher in the pecking order to make it to the playing XI for this game, but on experience, skill and current form, DK must be picked.

He was very effective as the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2018. His batting has transformed, and so has his confidence. Purely on wicket-keeping skill, considering there is going to be a lot of spin bowling, he must be given a look in instead of Parthiv.

This would give the selectors a fair idea as to whether Dinesh Karthik is ready for test cricket, ready to play in England or not. Having played on those conditions is an added advantage which must not be neglected.

It’s been eight years since the KKR skipper donned the gloves for India in the longest format of the game. And he averages a modest 27.78 in 23 test matches which is not the best.

It would be a tough call for the selectors to make to include him in the team, but keeping in mind the tough challenge that lies ahead for India, the management must give him an opportunity in familiar home conditions against Afghanistan rather than throw him in the playing XI against England in England.