Talking points from India's 2019 World Cup squad announcement

Dinesh Karthik over Rishabh Pant for second wicket-keeper's slot

This was one of the biggest debate surrounding India’s World Cup squad. Who would go in as the second wicket-keeper, the experienced Dinesh Karthik or the young, fearless Rishabh Pant? Well, the selectors have opted to back experience for the big tournament. It is also Karthik’s ability with the gloves that saw him get the nod ahead of India’s first-choice Test wicket-keeper. MSK Prasad also justified the reason for India opting for the Tamil Nadu stumper over Pant.

“Definitely a case where we debated (at) length. We all (agreed) that either Rishabh Pant or Dinesh Karthik will come in only when (Dhoni) is injured. In an important game, wicket keeping is also important. That's the reason we went with Dinesh Karthik,” chief selector MSK Prasad was quoted saying in the press conference.

Dinesh Karthik has been in and out of the ODI side for a while now. He has also batted at the No. 4 spot. However, Rishabh Pant was picked in the series against Australia. However, he has played as a wicket-keeper in just two out of the five ODIs he’s played. Moreover, he hasn’t really taken ODI cricket by storm. Hence, the selectors went for the superior keeper in Karthik.