Word Cup 2019: Virat Kohli reveals why Karthik was picked over Pant

After 12 years, Karthik once again became a part of India's campaign in the ICC mega-event as the apex board chose him over Pant’s hard-hitting talent while finalising the second wicketkeeper who would back MS Dhoni

‘Dinesh Karthik or Rishabh Pant; who should be picked for ICC World Cup 2019?’ This was the question that was finally answered when chief selector MSK Prasad announced India's final 15 who would catch the flight to England for WC 2019. After 12 years, Karthik once again became a part of India's campaign in the ICC mega-event as the apex board chose him over Pant’s hard-hitting talent while finalising the second wicketkeeper who would back MS Dhoni. Now, India skipper Virat Kohli has revealed why Karthik was picked over Pant as a second-choice wicketkeeper, if Dhoni gets injured. "In pressure situations, he's shown composure," Virat Kohli told the Times of India. "It was something that everybody on board was convinced about. "He has the experience. If, God forbid, something happens to MS (Dhoni), Karthik can be immensely valuable behind the wickets. As a finisher, he's done well. "So, it was the overall exposure to a tournament of this magnitude that was taken into primary consideration." Earlier, India head coach Ravi Shastri had urged young wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant to not “lose heart”, after he was not named in India’s 15-man squad for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019. “They shouldn't lose heart,” he was quoted as saying by Sport360. Shastri had said he would have preferred a 16-man squad – “When you only have 15 to pick, there is bound to be someone or the other who misses out, which is very unfortunate” – but said the players left out should retain hope.