Chetan Sharma opens up on Dinesh Karthik’s T20 future; explains Prithvi Shaw’s omission from all squads

Hardik Pandya will captain India in T20Is and Shikhar Dhawan in ODIs in New Zealand.

On Monday, October 31, 2022, the BCCI surprised everyone by announcing the Indian squads for the limited-overs tour of New Zealand and for the ODI and Test tour of Bangladesh in one go.

India will travel to New Zealand for three ODIs and three T20Is and Shikhar Dhawan will lead in the 50-over format, while Hardik Pandya will captain the side in T20Is. Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli have been rested from the New Zealand tour which begins 5 days after the final of the T20 World Cup 2022.

However, one big name missing from the Indian T20I squad for New Zealand was that of veteran Dinesh Karthik

Talking about Dinesh Karthik’s absence, BCCI chief selector Chetan Sharma talked about workload management as Mohammad Shami, R Ashwin, and Akshar Patel are the other players in the T20 World Cup squad who aren't part of the squad for the T20Is against New Zealand.

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"It is not like that. The World Cup is still happening. It is basically on the load management that we are looking at, who to rest and who not to. Dinesh Karthik, the way he came in the side and the way he performed, he's always available for the selectors.

It's just that there are T20I games immediately after the World Cup, the thinking is just to try a different set of players. Otherwise, the doors are open for him, he's a brilliant player, there's no problem at all," he said.

Prithvi Shaw, who has been in good form in the domestic circuit, is another prominent name to miss out on all the squads.

When asked about his absence, Sharma said: "We basically are looking at Prithvi, we're constantly in touch with Prithvi, he has been doing well. There's nothing wrong with him at all. The thing is - the players who are already playing and those who are performing, they have got their chances. He [Shaw] will definitely get his chance. The selectors are in constant touch with him, talking to him, he is doing well and he will get his chances very soon."

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India will play three T20Is and as many ODIs during their tour of New Zealand. The T20Is will be played on November 18, 20, and 22, with the games scheduled in Wellington, Mount Maunganui, and Napier respectively.

The ODIs will be held in Auckland, Hamilton, and Christchurch on November 25, 27, and 30 respectively.

(Cricbuzz inputs)