'That's a big statement': Former India opener on Dinesh Karthik keeping wickets ahead of Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson

The player said that Dinesh Karthik keeping wickets for the first T20I match against Ireland could mean that the veteran is the second choice wicketkeeper after Rishabh Pant.

In recent times, India has produced a treasure trove of very capable wicketkeeper-batters for the men’s team, successfully replacing long-time captain and talisman MS Dhoni in the position. This has included the first-choice keeper Rishabh Pant, who captained India for the first time in the 2-2 T20I series draw against South Africa, as well as Dinesh Karthik, now the elder statesman of the team making a return to the national set-up. Ishan Kishan has become a reliable opener in the shortest format as well, capable of providing quick runs at the top of the innings, and is another player who can don the gloves.

It was Karthik who wore the gloves for India in the first T20I (PTI)

However, it wasn't Kishan but Karthik who wore the gloves for India's first T20I in Ireland in the absence of Pant. Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra said that the move is a statement. He was used as a fielder in the South Africa series, but it came down to him, Kishan, and Samson to keep wickets in Ireland, and VVS Laxman, who is coaching the side in Dublin, chose the most experienced of the lot.

“Dinesh Karthik is keeping, which means no Ishan Kishan, and Sanju Samson didn't get an opportunity also,” said Chopra speaking on his YouTube channel. “What does it mean, that he is now your primary keeping option if Pant is unavailable, that's a big statement, that's a big endorsement.”

Chopra has previously said that Karthik making it to the team purely as a batter was also an indication of his value to the team, with the form he has shown recently in the IPL batting as a specialist finisher being a major reason why the number 6 slot is now his. Karthik built on his form with RCB by scoring his first T20I half-century in the 4th T20I against South Africa.

With the gloves going to him rather than the younger Kishan or Samson, who was unfortunate not to be in the playing XI for the first T20, it is another example of how significant Karthik is seen as to India’s plans. He is the x-factor in the death overs of an innings due to his ability to score runs from ball one, against all kinds of bowling.

Karthik did not get to bat in the first T20I, but Kishan contributed with a quickfire 26(11), swinging all the momentum towards India early in the chase. With so many wicketkeepers in the team, it allows the management a lot of flexibility and the opportunity to create a balance in the batting lineup which is going to keep India competitive across all surfaces and in all match situations.

India will prepare to play Ireland in the second T20 at the Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin, before beginning a three-match series against England on July 7, where both Kishan and Karthik are sure to feature alongside Rishabh Pant once again.