Robin Uthappa said Dinesh Karthik has been India's best finisher over the last two years and that he deserved to be in the 2019 World Cup squad. The Kolkata Knight Riders captain will head to England and Wales as back-up wicketkeeper-batsman in the 15-man squad
Dinesh Karthik was named in India's 15-member squad for the 2019 World Cup (AP Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Dinesh Karthik has been named as back-up wicketkeeper in India's 15-man squad
- If ever a person deserved to be in this world cup squad on merit it has been Karthik: Uthappa
- Karthik has scored 425 runs in 20 matches at an average of 46.75 in ODIs since 2017
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batsman Robin Uthappa on Monday heaped praise on his captain Dinesh Karthik after the wicketkeeper-batsman was named in India's 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup.
Uthappa said Karthik deserved to be in the World Cup squad on merit and that the KKR captain has been India's best finisher in the last two years.
Uthappa's comments come after Karthik pipped young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant to make the World Cup squad that was announced in Mumbai on Monday.
"If ever a person deserved to be in this world cup squad on merit and his performances it (has) been @dkooo19!! Stoked for him!! Justice has been done. Easily the best finisher in the Indian squad in the past 2 years!!" Uthappa wrote on his Instagram profile.
@robinaiyudauthappa Photo
Dinesh Karthik has done well in the limited opportunities he got to represent India in ODIs over the last three years. Karthik has scored 425 runs in 20 matches at an average of 46.75 in ODIs since 2017. Team India has tried the Kolkata Knight Riders captain at the No. 4 spot as well.
However, Karthik was not selected for the five-match ODI series against Australia at home last month which was also India's final international assignment ahead of the World Cup.
Selection committee chairman MSK Prasad though pointed out on Monday that Karthik's proven ability to deal with pressure situations worked in his favour during the World Cup squad selection process.
"The situation that was discussed in the selection committee meeting is one of them [Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik] will play in the XI only if MS Dhoni is injured. Under such circumstances in a crunch match, who is the best guy who can handle the pressure? That's is the reason that went in favour of Dinesh Karthik," MSK Prasad said.
Meanwhile, Dinesh Karthik on Monday said selection for the World Cup squad has been a dream come true moment for him and that is very excited to be part of the Virat Kohli-led unit.
"I am very excited. It has been a dream for me to be a part of this team for a long time now," he said.
"As a team, we have done some special things and I have been through that journey and I have really wanted to be a part of this team," he told www.kkr.in.
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