Rishabh Pant or Dinesh Karthik? KL Rahul reveals answer to India's big selection call for 1st T20 vs Australia

Ind vs Aus: India and Australia will play the first match of a three-match series on Tuesday (September 20) at the IS Bindra, Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali. India face a big call in choosing their first-choice wicket-keeper as both Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik are strong contenders.
pant dK KLrahul AP

Vice-captain KL Rahul opened up on India's big selection-Rishabh Pant vs Dinesh Karhik

Photo : AP
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
  • India face a tough selection call between Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik
  • KL Rahul revealed India's thinking behind who their first-choice keeper will be
  • India will play Australia in the series opener at Mohali on Tuesday
India will kickstart their road to glory at the 2022 T20 World Cup with a three-match T20I series against Australia at home. The series opener will be played on Tuesday (September 20) at the IS Bindra, Punjab Cricket Association Stadium (PCA) in Mohali.
The team will play a match after the squad for the upcoming mega event was named. Apart from Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami, The Men in Blue almost have a full-strength side to choose from with both Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel returning to the fold after missing the Asia Cup due to injuries.
This leaves the team management with a big call to make as in all probability only one of Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik can make the playing XI. Indian vice-captain KL Rahul has revealed that it is dependent on the conditions and opponent and a tough decision to make.
“It again depends on the kind of combination you want to go with. It depends on the surface and the teams we are playing against. These are not easy decisions. Both are high-quality players, and have been playing well. Both of them do different roles,” said Rahul in the pre-match press conference on the eve of the match.
In the Asia Cup, India picked Dinesh Karthik in the group stage game against Pakistan but after Ravindra Jadeja's injury left India without a left-hander in the top 7, Rishabh Pant was recalled in the playing XI for the Super 4 stage against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Both Pant and Karthik featured in India's clash against Hong Kong and Afghanistan with Hardik Pandya taking a rest.
The Australia series gives both players a good chance to cement their place in the XI for the T20 WC opener against Pakistan on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
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