Against SRH we saw one of the greatest Knock of Dinesh Karthik. India will jump right into the T20 World Cup once the IPL 2024 concludes. Indian cricket players are aware that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) watches the IPL closely. And that too before selecting the squad for the next major event. It is set to take place in the United States and the West Indies from June 1–29.
BCCI can look for two wicket-keeper batsmen – Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant. As they both have shown themselves in their hour of need. The IPL 2024 is creating a buzz in the T20 World Cup selection of players like Dinesh Kartik and Rishabh Pant. A magnificent season and a great knock of both players have started debate ahead of the World Cup.
Let’s look at the stats of both players during the IPL season 2024. Till now Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik are giving each other a cutthroat competition. When we look at stats, Dinesh Karthik has 226 runs in seven matches at an average of 75.33. Whereas Rishabh Pant has made 194 runs in six IPL matches with a strike rate of 157.72 and an average of 32.33. But the knock of Dinesh Karthik in the SRH vs RCB match could impact the contention of both the players in the T20 World Cup.
WHO IS A BETTER CHOICE?
DINESH KARTHIK
Dinesh Karthik, a wicketkeeper from India, made his debut for the national team in ODIs at 19 years old. He made his Test debut in 2004. It was against Australia but struggles to topple M.S Dhoni for the wicketkeeping position. Karthik’s highest point came when he replaced Sehwag in the 2007 tour of England as an opener. In 2006 he made comeback. Later he clinches a spot as a pure batsman. However, he had another dip in form and was out of the playing XI again.
In 2014, he came in the middle order when MS Dhoni was out of the Tests. Karthik’s performance at the domestic level remains consistent. Moreover, he was the quintessential replacement player for India. His IPL career is inconsistent, with Delhi Daredevils picking him for the inaugural edition. And Mumbai Indians bought him for 12.5 crores. Being in the Indian ODI circuit before MS Dhoni, he was never in the squad for a World Cup.
RISHABH PANT
A match-turning, swashbuckling batter-keeper in the Adam Gilchrist mold. Rishabh Pant has had a starring role. It was in more than a handful of India’s biggest Test matches in his first few years. Rishabh Pant is an attacking left-hand wicketkeeper-batter. Although He came back to play IPL 2024 after recovering from a life-threatening car accident in December 2022. He is now captain of the Delhi Capitals (DC) after missing the 2023 season.
Pant’s best season with the bat was in IPL 2018, he scored 684 runs at a strike rate of 173.60. In IPL 2019, he was DC’s second-highest run-scorer, scoring 488 runs at a strike rate of 162.66. In IPL 2021 he was named DC Captain. Thus, leading the team to the top of the points table before the season was kept on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He has had a starring role in India’s biggest Test matches in his first few years in the team.
Pant’s no-fear, no-brakes batting has resulted in scores between 90 – 100 in Tests in his first four years. He is lone force for the Delhi side, their all-time top-scorer, and was appointed captain in 2021.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE 2024 T20 WORLD CUP?
This is a close call between Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant for the T20 World Cup 2024 squad:
Dinesh Karthik is currently dominating the IPL 2024 with a high strike rate and impressive finishing skills.
Experience: Participated in the 2022 World Cup and has prior experience in pressure situations.
Rishabh Pant
X-Factor: An explosive batsman who can take the game away from his opponents.
The left-handed option adds balance to the batting order.
Recent discussions: Former cricketer Irfan Pathan believes Pant has potential and should be given more opportunities. Others, however, believe Karthik’s current form is too strong to ignore.
The final call: The decision will likely occur depending on the selectors’ preferences, and how both players perform in the remaining IPL matches.
Here are some other factors that may influence the decision:
Team Composition: If the team requires a stronger finisher, Karthik could be the choice.
Conditions: If the World Cup is played on pitches that favor left-handed batsmen, Pant may get the nod. Finally, both players are strong contenders, and the final decision will be fascinating to watch.
