BCCI’s Selected Committee on October 30 declared the squad for the upcoming T20 international tour of New Zealand. Though the likes of Kohli and Rohit were not picked in the side due to their selection for the Test series against Bangladesh, Dinesh Karthik (who only plays T20Is) also failed to nail down a place.

Hardik Pandya was named as the captain of the squad and wk-batter Rishabh Pant the vice-captain.

‘The doors are open for him’ – Chetan Sharma explains the omission of Dinesh Karthik

DK was selected in the T20 international side on the back of an other-wordly IPL as RCB’s finisher. However, he hasn’t been able to give the same finishing touches in the Indian Blue.

In his 22 T20 innings since return, DK has managed just 287 runs at an underwhelming average of 20.50. His 3 innings in the 2022 T20 WC have read 1(2), 5(13) and 7(5).

But interestingly, Dinesh Karthik has not been omitted from the squad due to his lean returns (or age) . Team India is practicing workload management, claims Indian Chief Selector Chetan Sharma. Notably, the T20I series starts just 5 days after the final of 2022 T20 WC.

“It is not like that (looking beyond DK). The World Cup would have just gotten over. It is basically on load management, we are focusing on it a lot. Planning on whom to give rest at the appropriate time”.

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He also said, “Dinesh Karthik, the way he came in the side and the way he performed, he is always available for the selectors. The doors are open for him. He is a brilliant player. There is no problem at all”.

Upon being inquired over the fitness status of Karthik (who had to leave the field in the second innings against SA), Chetan Sharma kept hush and said the medical status of an Indian cricketer is not public matter.