Ravi Shastri comments on Dinesh Karthik's chances of making India's T20 World Cup squad

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri believes that veteran Dinesh Karthik can perform the finisher's role for the team at the T20 World Cup scheduled later this year. 

Karthik has recently earned a recall to the Indian side for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa on the back of his impressive performances for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. 

The experienced wicketkeeper-batter has scored 330 runs in the cash-rich league at an excellent average of 55.00 and a stunning strike rate of 183.33. Meanwhile, during an interaction on the Star Sports show 'Game Plan’, Shastri was asked if he thought DK could make it for Team India's squad for the World Cup.

"You have to see from the team's point of view, what are they looking for? Do they want a keeper who will bat at the top of the order or do they want a keeper who will be the finisher? I will go for the latter. You need a keeper who will do MS Dhoni's role, let's put it that way," Shastri said on the show. 

The ex-Indian cricketer also stated that choosing Karthik as the second wicketkeeper in the squad would be a good choice.

"There is already Rishabh Pant who can bat in the top four or five in T20 cricket but you want someone who can keep and finish a game because they aren't too many finishers now with MS (Dhoni) having quit. So I think that's where his chances are very very good," Shastri explained. 

However, the ‘Men in Blue’ have struggled for the finisher's position ever since legendary wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni announced his retirement. With most of India's renowned batters playing in the top order for their respective franchises in the IPL, the team has struggled to find a reliable finisher, especially with Hardik Pandya's injury concerns. However, Shastri said that DK would have to showcase his skills again in the T20Is against South Africa for him to be in the squad for the mega event. 

"This is his opportunity. If and when he gets an opportunity in these games, he has to do it with India colors on. We know he has got the experience, so this becomes extremely vital," he concluded. 

However, it will be interesting to see how many games Karthik gets in the five-match series against the South Africa team. With Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan also in the team as wicketkeeper-batters, the veteran will have to grab the limited opportunities available.