Wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik, who returned to Team India after three years, is running in excellent form. In the fourth T20 match against South Africa, he scored runs at a strike rate above 200. Along with this, he has staked his claim for the T20 World Cup to be held in October-November. This may increase the trouble of Rishabh Pant, who is leading the Man in Blue in the series against Africa. The left hand batsman is seen struggling. Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn feels the same way.
Steyn said on ESPN Cricinfo, “Pant has got four chances in this series so far and he seems to be making the same mistake. You can also say that good players learn from their mistakes…but they didn’t. DK (Dinesh Karthik) has shown every time what class he is.”
Steyn continued, “I think if you want to win the World Cup, you pick a person who can win you the World Cup. If he (Pant) is going through a bad phase, then you pick him (Karthik). Team selection will be based on prestige, but DK is in excellent form and if he continues to do so, he will be in India’s squad for the World Cup.”
Steyn also praised Karthik’s 27-ball 55 against South Africa on Friday. “DK is in great form, looks like he is getting better and better. His wicketkeeping mentality is very good, he studies the game very well. He knows and understands what the bowlers are going to do.”
Dinesh Karthik, who performed brilliantly for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2022, has done well in the series against South Africa. He has scored 92 runs in the series so far in four innings at a strike rate of 158.6. He has scored 84 runs in the death overs at a strike rate of 186.7. On the other hand, Pant has scored 57 runs in four innings at a strike rate of just 105.6.