Current players shouldn't be sidelined for T20 WC because of Dinesh Karthik: Irfan Pathan

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik is once again knocking on the doors of the selectors to find a place in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 courtesy of his brilliant form in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024). The 38-year-old is in the list of top ten run scorers of the season so far with 226 runs to his name from six innings at an average of 75.33 and a phenomenal strike rate of 205.45.

The Chennai-born cricketer played a valiant knock of 83 (35) against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) during Match 30 at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Following Karthik’s rich form, there has been a wild uproar among fans to bring him back to the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2024.

Also Read: IPL 2024: Dinesh Karthik responds to Rohit Sharma's 'World Cup' banter with 108-meter six

However, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels that including Karthik in the team ahead of youngsters would be an injustice to them.

"As you said Dinesh Karthik played in the shadow of MS Dhoni. So now that MS is not playing anymore, you want Karthik to come in. Then by that logic, Rishabh Pant will be under Karthik's shadow. Will that be right? If Rishabh Pant was not in form, then I would have said, ok, fine," Pathan responded to Rayudu's take on Karthik's inclusion on Star Sports.

Further speaking ahead, Pathan said that players such as Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma who’ve been playing for India in the lead-up to the World Cup should be considered ahead of Karthik.

"But here, in this case, I feel Sanju Samson is ahead of Karthik in the race for the T20 World Cup spot. Or Jitesh Sharma, who was recently playing for India. The current players. We should not forget that the current players who are in the regular scheme of things should not be sidelined just because another player is performing," he added.

Indian wicketkeepers in top form in IPL 2024

Also Read: 'Never seen a commentator bat so well' - Kevin Pietersen in awe of Dinesh Karthik's heroics against SRH

Notably, there’s stiff competition among Indian players to fill the wicketkeeper slot in the T20 World Cup as Samson (264 runs), KL Rahul (204), Rishabh Pant (194 runs) and Ishan Kishan (184 runs) have all been in tremendous form this season. Hence, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) will have a headache in selecting two out of the above names for the mega event scheduled to be held in the West Indies and USA from June 01.