'If you do not take risk, how will you win?' - Sunil Gavaskar gives verdict on Karthik vs Pant debate

The BCCI named India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022, and the one discussion which has been going on ever since is who’d take the wicketkeeper-batter role in the Indian combination. Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik were both selected as wicketkeeper possibilities, and though Karthik has recently made his way back, he has showcased fine performances as compared to Pant.

However, many seasoned players and cricket experts have expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the Indian team's primary choice for the World Cup. As the Dinesh Karthik-Rishabh Pant debate continues, former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar has now jumped on board in order to weigh in on the discussion.

"I would play both Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik. At No.5, Rishabh Pant, No.6 Hardik Pandya or the vice-versa and I'll play Dinesh Karthik at No.7. I would give with Hardik and four other options as bowlers. If you do not take risk, how will you win? You need to take risk in all departments then only you can get rewards," Gavaskar said while speaking to Sports Tak.

The debate started when Pant was benched in India's Asia Cup's opening game, against Pakistan, last month in favour of the 37-year-old. Though Pant ultimately ended up having more opportunities during the competition, the argument was still brought up in conversations and re-ignited after the World Cup roster was revealed.

There's no first choice wicketkeeper in the side: Dravid 

Earlier this month, before India faced Pakistan in the Super Four clash at the Asia Cup 2022, head coach Rahul Dravid had also spoken about the debate, and had revealed that there is no first choice wicketkeeper currently, and the team is decided based keeping in mind the opposition team and the pitch conditions.

"There's no first choice wicketkeeper in the side... We play according to the conditions, situation, opposition and what we feel is the best XI. There's no such thing as first choice playing XI for every single condition. That will vary. On that day against Pakistan, we felt Dinesh was the right choice for us," Dravid had said.