WTC Final: ‘India have a very good chance of winning the match,’ says Dinesh Karthik


WTC Final: ‘India have a very good chance of winning the match,’ says Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik

Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik opined that the Virat Kohli-led side has a great chance of winning the all-important ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final. Team India is scheduled to lock horns with New Zealand in the much-awaited clash from June 18 to June 22 at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, England.

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The 36-year old mentioned that the Kiwis’ two-match series against England in the English conditions won’t give them an upper hand in the WTC final. During an interview with The Times Of India, Karthik mentioned that India’s batting will play a crucial role against New Zealand. 

“New Zealand are playing two Test matches before against England, but I don’t think that will make any difference to India’s chances. It’s a superb side and if the batting clicks and partnerships happen, they have a very good chance,” Dinesh Karthik said.

‘Rishabh Pant has the effect of Virender Sehwag or Adam Gilchrist’

Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik
Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik has been out of contention for selection in the current national side. He has been constantly in and out of the team right from the beginning of his career. Recently, he lost his place to flamboyant finishers like Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya in white-ball cricket. 

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Karthik’s last international outing came during India’s unfortunate defeat at the ICC 2019 Cricket World Cup semi-final against NZ. Meanwhile, the Chennai-born heaped massive praises for Pant while mentioning that he has the effect that Virender Sehwag or Adam Gilchrist used to have on rivals.

“He lends flexibility to the team and the management has the opportunity to play the extra batsman or the bowler as per requirement. And what is most important is the way he instils fear in the mind of opposition. Pant has the effect that Virender Sehwag or Adam Gilchrist used to have on rivals.

He has Wriddhiman Saha in the team, who, according to me, is the best wicketkeeper in the world. The way Saha is, he will always be ready to help him out…And I know for a fact even Parthiv Patel helped him out when he was in Australia,” Karthik said.

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