Dinesh Karthik picks KL Rahul over Rishabh Pant in the race for number 5


image-lb7zsvdqKL Rahul with head coach Rahul Dravid ahead of Bangladesh ODIs

A nearly full-fledged Indian lineup will be facing Bangladesh in the three-match ODI series, starting on December 4. 

The Indian bowling seems inexperienced, but all the big-named batters are touring Bangladesh after a short break. In fact, there would be some batters fighting for a particular spot. Among them would be KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant for the Number 5 spot. 

Pant might have hit a century three ODI innings ago against England but had a poor New Zealand series. KL Rahul, on the other hand, has an average of 56.62 batting at Number 5, scoring a century and four half-centuries in that batting position.

Putting that argument to rest, Indian wicketkeeper batter Dinesh Karthik picked Rahul as his choice citing a logistical reason. 

Talking to Cricbuzz, Karthik said, "(Number) five is where we need to discuss. There will be a toss-up between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. I have a feeling that KL Rahul will play, for sure."

"Pant, I think, has taken a long flight from New Zealand and has landed as we speak. KL Rahul will be a proper middle-order batsman for the fifty-over World Cup. If that happens, they will fit him at number five."


Also Read | BAN vs IND, 1st ODI: Preview, Prediction and Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips