India need to play both Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant – Cheteshwar Pujara

India’s Test specialist batter Cheteshwar Pujara feels the team will need to play both Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant in the T20 World Cup. Pujara feels the kind of Asia Cup the team had, they will need to strengthen their batting. The Saurashtra batter added Pant, Pandya and Karthik will have to India’s number five, six, and seven.

However, if India plays with this combination, they will have only five bowling options, including Hardik Pandya. Pujara believes if Rohit Sharma needs a sixth bowling option in Deepak Hooda then Rishabh Pant might have to sit out and Hooda can bat at number five.

Pant hasn’t been consistent in the shortest format of the game and he hasn’t been able to grab his opportunities. On the other hand, Karthik has played the finisher role with great success while Hooda has done well when he has got the opportunity to bat in the top order.

Karthik had scored 330 runs in the IPL 2022 while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore and had delivered for the franchise while playing the finisher role.

Cheteshwar Pujara said while talking on ESPN Cricinfo, “I think if I had to pick my No.5, 6 and 7 I would go with… with the kind of Asia Cup we had, we need to strengthen our batting lineup.”

“I would go with Rishabh at No.5, Hardik at No.6, and DK at No.7. I think we need to include both. Rishabh and DK need to play. Unless you’re looking for Hooda to bowl a few overs. If he bowls, then I think Rishabh misses out, Deepak has to bat No.5.”

India needs to sort out their middle and lower-middle order for the T20 World Cup. It is expected that Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav will be India’s top four in the T20I showpiece.

India will next take on Australia and South Africa in three-match T20I series before the all-important T20 World Cup. The first T20I against Australia will be played on 20th September in Mohali.