'I feel that if India have...' - Kapil Dev's unique analysis on why India need Rishabh Pant in playing XI instead of Dinesh Karthik

Rishabh Pant, Kapil Dev, Dinesh Karthik (Image Source: Twitter)

India will face South Africa on October 30, Sunday in the ongoing 20-20 World Cup 2022 and it will be a crucial encounter for both teams. The Rohit Sharma-led team will look to carry on with the momentum and inch closer to the semi-finals of the showpiece event.

Regarding Rishabh Pant, the left-handed batter is yet to get a game under his belt in the tournament and the emergence of Dinesh Karthik as a finisher has put Pant’s opportunity on hold. However, Kapil Dev, the former Indian cricketer, said that India need to go with Pant instead of Karthik.

Commenting on having a left-handed batter in the middle order, Kapil said that it would be crucial for the Men in Blue to bring in Pant in the middle order. However, the southpaw, who is averaging only around 26 in the shortest format this year, is yet to play an impactful inning in the T20Is, unlike Karthik.

It is the time that India need him: Kapil

Kapil, who took cognizance of the Indian batting order lacking a left-hander in the middle, said that the team management must give an opportunity to Pant going forward in the high-pressure tournament.

“I want to say that since we have Rishabh Pant, now is the time India need him. It felt as if Dinesh Karthik would get the job done, but factoring in the wicketkeeping as well, I feel that if India have that left-hander option in the team, this team would look complete,” Kapil said to ABP news.

“He is a very neat cricketer. If you look at his batting, he doesn't appear to be struggling. He gets out and has in fact, played on twice or thrice. I want him to score runs because it is really important for him to score. Some players are told not to play fast. He can take time initially because he can easily accelerate as and when needed. I want him to play patiently, play the first 8-10 overs, and then when he gets an idea what total is best on the pitch, then go for it,” said the former Indian captain further.