India vs Australia 2019: 4 Reasons why Dinesh Karthik could have been dropped from the ODI squad

BCCI has announced the Indian squad for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against Australia. The Australian team will be touring India for a 2 match T20I series followed by a 5 match ODI series and the Indian squad for the ODI series is as follows -

India’s squad for ODI series against Australia: Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma (VC), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MSD (wk), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohamed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Vijay Shankar, Rishabh Pant, Siddharth Kaul, KL Rahul, Bhuvneshwar Kumar

(Siddarth Kaul will be a part of the Indian squad in the first 2 ODIs and will be replaced by Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the final 3 ODIs)

The selectors have made a lot of changes in the squad that played the ODI series in New Zealand. One notable name missing from the squad is Dinesh Karthik.

Here are the 4 possible reasons behind Dinesh Karthik's exclusion from the Indian ODI squad.

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#4 Ravi Shastri wants KL Rahul to bat at #3

Ravi Shastri wants KL Rahul to bat at no.3, followed by Virat Kohli at no.4

In an interview with Cricbuzz, the Indian head coach, Ravi Shastri had stated that he had a masterplan for Virat Kohli heading into the ICC World Cup 2019. In a bid to protect the under-fire Indian middle order, Shastri wants Kohli to bat at no.4 in the mega-event.

Shastri revealed, "The good thing about this Indian top-three is we can separate them, if conditions and situations demand. Someone like Virat Kohli can go to number four, and we can put a good number three to bring more balance to the batting line-up. That's flexibility for you, and for big tournaments like the World Cup, you have to be flexible to see what's the best balance for the side."

Dinesh Karthik is definitely not a good choice to bat at no.3 and given that there are very few ODIs left for India ahead of the World Cup, they might want to experiment KL Rahul batting at no.3, followed by Kohli at no.4.

And, looking at the other alternatives in the squad, all players can prove to be a good option for no.3 except Dinesh Karthik, who loves to bat down the order.

#3 Rishabh Pant is in the World Cup plans as India's second wicket-keeper

Pant was not part of the ODI squads for the Australia and New Zealand series

BCCI's Chairman of Selectors MSK Prasad had stated in one of his interviews that Rishabh Pant is 'definitely a part' of India's 2019 World Cup plans.

Revealing Pant's status in the World Cup plans to India Today, Prasad told that, "There is absolutely no doubt that he is among one of those wicketkeepers (in contention for the World Cup). All the three shortlisted keepers are doing well. He is definitely part of our World Cup plans. It's a part of the workload management we are following."

It is not rocket science that the maximum number of wicket-keepers the Indian squad should have is 2 and MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant seem to be the top contenders for that slots. Given that Pant has a more aggressive batting technique than Karthik, he would also prove to be a better finisher with the bat.

Thus, to give Pant enough chances ahead of the World Cup, the Delhite was included in place of Karthik.

#2 Dinesh Karthik's poor showing in Australia and New Zealand

New Zealand v India - ODI Game 3

Dinesh Karthik was a part of the Indian squad in the series against Australia and New Zealand in January. Not only was Karthik a part of the squad, he was also given multiple opportunities in the playing XI.

However, Karthik's batting performances were not satisfactory, which possibly led to his exclusion from the upcoming ODI series.

Looking at Dinesh Karthik's performance against Australia, the right-handed batsman aggregated mere 37 runs in the 2 innings he got a chance to bat in. Against New Zealand, Karthik scored 38 runs in the 2 innings he played in the ODI series. Also in the 3rd T20I, he might have cost the Indian team the series by not taking a single in the last over of the Indian chase.

Thus, his poor form is also one of the key reasons behind the Indian selectors dropping him from the squad.

#1 Work load management of the Indian team

Dinesh Karthik will be leading the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 12th season of IPL

As we all know that the 12th edition of VIVO IPL will commence from the 23rd of March, a lot of players need time to recuperate from the tight international schedule. The most likely reason why the Indian selectors may have excluded Karthik from the ODI squad could be his fitness.

The BCCI wants all of its top cricketers to play in the Indian Premier League. Also, Dinesh Karthik is the captain of one of the top franchises of the league, Kolkata Knight Riders. Thus, in order to take some much-needed rest ahead of the IPL. Dinesh Karthik would not have been included in the ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia.