Ravi Shastri Picks His Choice Between Rishabh Pant Or Dinesh Karthik Ahead Of India Vs England Semi-Final

India to face England in the semi-final in T20 World Cup 2022. For India to reach the final, they have to win against England. India looked strong in their league matches. However, the biggest concern for Team India is the form of wicket-keeper batters Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant. Dinesh Karthik played four games but failed to create an impact. At the same time, Rishabh Pant played against Zimbabwe and scored just 3 runs in 5 balls. Former Indian cricket team coach Ravi Shastri chose between Dinesh Karthik or Rishabh Pant ahead of India vs. England Semi-final.

Ravi Shastri Picked Rishabh Pant Over Dinesh Karthik For India Vs. England

Ravi Shastri picked Rishabh Pant over Dinesh Karthik for the semi-final between India vs. England at Adelaide Oval. Talking to broadcaster Star Sports, Ravi Shastri said,

“Dinesh is a lovely team player. But when it comes to a game against England or New Zealand, just seeing their attack, I think you need a robust left-hander who can turn it on, and is a match-winner and a left-hander.”

Ravi Shastri is impressed with Rishabh Pant’s performance against England earlier this year. Rishabh Pant was the Man of the Match in the last ODI against England in July, where he made 125 not out and cruised India to a series win. Ravi Shastri added,

“He has done well against England. He recently won a match on his win against England, a one-day game. I would go with Pant, not just because he played here, but because of the X-factor angle, he can bring to the semi-final.”

He also added that Rishabh Pant is a left-handed batter and can be an essential factor for India due to the shorter square boundaries at Adelaide Oval. He said,

“You are playing in Adelaide, short boundaries square, another reason why a left-hander should be there to disrupt the England attack. If you have too many right-handers, there is a sense of sameness to it. England have a nice attack, a varied attack of left-handers and right-handers.”

“You need a left-hander in your team, who can be dangerous and win you a game in the back overs even if you have lost 3 or 4 wickets at the top.”

On the blink of elimination from Super 12, Pakistan booked its seat in the final on Sunday, Melbourne. Out of nowhere, Pakistan is the first team to reach the final on what we call a fairytale journey of the arch-rivals. Pakistan defeated New Zealand comfortably in the first semi-final. So it could be India vs. Pakistan at the grandest stage of all, a final of the T20 World Cup at MCG, Melbourne. Who do you think should play? Rishabh Pant or Dinesh Karthik? Do you think India will defeat England in the semi-finals and play the final against arch-rivals Pakistan? Let us know in the comments below. Here is the preview of the match before the clash.