'He has experience...' - Virender Sehwag's take on southpaw featuring in India's playing XI in 20-20 World Cup

Team India, Virender Sehwag (Image source: Twitter)

After India lost to South Africa in the epic clash of the ongoing 20-20 World Cup 2022 on October 30, Saturday, experts have been weighing their opinions on India’s flaws and also coming up with suggestions for the next encounter against Bangladesh on Wednesday.

Virender Sehwag, the former Indian opener, said that India must have gone with Rishabh Pant instead of Dinesh Karthik as the former has more experience playing in Australia. Notably, although the 37-year-old is vastly experienced in terms of years, Pant, who is just 25-year-old, has fared well on Australian surfaces in the past.

“This should have been the case from the first day. Rishabh Pant has played Tests and ODIs there, and has performed and he knows how to perform in these conditions. When did Dinesh Karthik last play in Australia, when has he played on such bouncy wickets? This isn't a Bengaluru wicket,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.

I can only give them suggestion: Sehwag

Further, the former Indian opener said that it was up to the team management to make a decision. Highlighting the southpaw's Gabba heroics in the 2021 Test series, Sehwag said that it would have been more fitting to go with Pant against the Proteas.

“I said this even today that Pant should've been in the team instead of Hooda, Pant has the experience of playing here. His Gabba innings is a legend,” said Sehwag further on Cricbuzz as he opined on India’s defeat.

“I can only give them suggestion, 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,” the former Indian cricketer further said.

For the unversed, Karthik incurred an injury during the game and his participation in the next game against Bangladesh remains doubtful. Concerning India, although the team led by Rohit are in a strong position, they must win the remaining matches to sail through to the semis. Pant, on the other hand, would hope for an opportunity to make a statement with the bat.