‘Ye toh pehle din se hona chahiye tha’- Virender Sehwag backs this Indian star to replace Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik was given a chance over Rishabh Pant to star in India’s playing XI for the 20-20 World Cup 2022. However, the 37-year-old has not had much of an impact with the bat or with the gloves. There have always been two schools of thought on the subject. While some believe Karthik should remain in the starting lineup, others believe Pant should take his place.

Now, former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag also has shared his views on the topic. He suggested that Rishabh Pant should have been in the team from the start instead of Dinesh Karthik. He claimed that Karthik had not played in Australia in a long time and that Pant had breached The Gabba in a Test series, giving him the edge.

“Ye toh pehle din se hona chahiye tha. Vo vahan Test cricket khele hain, ODI khele hain aur perform kiya hai. Dinesh Karthik kab Australia me khele hain? Ye koi Bangalore ki wicket nahi hai. Main aaj bhi ye hi keh raha tha ki Hooda ki jagah Pant ko khilaate, unko vahan khelne ka anubhav hai. Unhone Gabba ka ghamand toda hai Australia ka.

(This should have been the case from the first day. Pant has played Tests and ODIs there and has performed. When did Dinesh Karthik last play in Australia? This isn’t a Bangalore wicket. I said this even today that Pant should’ve been in the team instead of Hooda, Pant has the experience of playing here. He broke Gabba’s pride in his legendary knock),” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.com.

I can only give them suggestions: Virender Sehwag

“I can only give them suggestions, it’s the management’s decision. If Karthik is fit, they will go back to him again. But according to me, Rishabh Pant should’ve been in the XI from the start),” said Sehwag.

Due to injury concerns, Karthik left the field before the final five overs of the game against South Africa, and Pant took over the wicketkeeping duties as a substitute. It remains to be seen who will play in India’s next match.