I would go for Dinesh Karthik down there rather Rishabh Pant in T20Is: Robin Uthappa

With Dinesh Karthik selected in the playing XI against Pakistan in the first match of India’s Asia Cup, a lot of discussions were put to bed. Alas, it didn’t last long. Ravindra Jadeja’s injury saw Rishabh Pant given the chance in the middle with Karthik being dropped from the squad. This once again made headlines as Pant’s poor form in T20Is continued. 

Robin Uthappa, former India international believes that the team management should pick Karthik over Pant as he is known to finish the games. The Chennai Super Kings player also believes that Pant doesn’t fit in the current T20Is set-up. The 36-year-old believes that Pant’s ideal position is in the top four and not below that.

“Right now, there is no place in the top four for him. Why are we playing him just because we have to play him? Don't we want Rishabh to thrive under the circumstances he plays in. You would want him to play in a position that is advantageous to him, not in a position that is disadvantageous to him,” said Uthappa as quoted by India Today.

He added, “So if he does play, he should bat in the top four. Does he fit in the top four at the moment? He doesn't. I would rather go for Dinesh Karthik down there. Say for instance, like something that happened with Hardik Pandya in the Pakistan match happens, you still have another finisher that can take that load. Otherwise, it is too much of a load for someone like Axar Patel to take on.”

 You can't keep changing sides each and every game: Cheteshwar Pujara

The dependable top order batter in red-ball cricket, Cheteshwar Pujara believes that too many changes in the team are not necessary. With Jadeja’s injury, team India made four changes in the squad against Pakistan. The all important question of Karthik vs Pant is also in the same equation.

“I think they should stick with Pant if they want to back him. You can't keep changing sides each and every game. If they were supposed to play DK, then he should have played the game against Pakistan. So I think they will continue with Pant,” said Pujara ahead of India’s match against Sri Lanka.