Karthik or Pant? Gavaskar picks his Indian opener for World Cup 2019

Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar picked veteran star batsman Dinesh Karthik as an opening option for India in the World cup 2019 while Pant did not find a mention in his list

Young Rishabh Pant on Friday took a massive leap to cherish his World Cup dream as he replaced veteran Dinesh Karthik in the 15-member ODI squad for the Australia series. On Friday, the selectors announced two different teams for the first two and last three ODIs. Since then, it’s being speculated that the side that is expected to travel to England will be the one for the last three games of the series.

Meanwhile, Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar named Dinesh Karthik ahead of Rishabh Pant while picking the squad for World Cup 2019. Gavaskar believes Dinesh Karthik has opened in Test matches in the past so he can do it in ODIs too as he provides flexibility in the team, while Pant did not find a mention in the his list.

“I have 13 names in my mind who will surely board the flight to England and they are Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav,” Sunil Gavaskar told Sports Tak.

“I think Vijay Shankar can be the 14th player. Seeing the swinging conditions in England, India can play two fast bowling all-rounders. But I am not too very sure of the 15th player. Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj have not been that impressive. Umesh Yadav can be an option and I think selectors must keep an eye on these three bowlers.

“There should be a flexibility in the team. Dinesh Karthik has opened in Test matches in the past so he can do it in ODIs too,” Gavaskar added.

Gavaskar expressed that England, who have become a strong ODI side are the favourites to win the World Cup 2019.

“The strong favourites in the World Cup tournament are England. And it is not because of the fact that it will be a home World Cup for them. But because they have changed their attitude towards ODI cricket. They had lost in the league stage in 2015 World Cup, probably against Bangladesh. But since then, the manner in which they changed their game, the way in which they picked their team, England have grown into a strong side. They have a good opening pair, they have strong middle-order batters, they also have a good all-rounder in the form of and when you play at home you also have a strong backing,” he said.