T20 World Cup 2022: Rishabh Pant is likely to get an opportunity in the XI when India take on Bangladesh in Adelaide on Wednesday. Dinesh Karthik picked up a back injury concern during India’s loss to South Africa on Sunday.

Rishabh Pant is yet to play for India at T20 World Cup 2022 (PTI Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: Former India opener Kris Srikkanth said the time is maybe right for Rishabh Pant to find a place in India’s XI in the T20 World Cup 2022 campaign after Dinesh Karthik picked up an injury scare in their defeat to South Africa in Perth on Sunday, October 30. Karthik was in pain midway through South Africa’s chase and the senior wicketkeeper-batter walked off the field, unable to continue keeping wickets for India.

India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar confirmed later on Sunday that Dinesh Karthik had back injury concerns and he was dealing with it in the lead-up to their match against South Africa in Perth. It’s likely that Karthik might not be fit for India’s crucial Super 12 match against Bangladesh in Sydney on Wednesday, November 2.

Rishabh Pant has not yet played in the T20 World Cup, warming the benches as India preferred Dinesh Karthik ahead of the young wicketkeeper-batter. Pant had led India earlier in a home series against South Africa but the Delhi Capitals captain’s inconsistency has cost him a place in the side.

Pant has played 21 matches in T20Is in 2022 and has scored 331 runs at an average of less than 30. Pant hasn’t been able to cut loose in the middle as he has been constantly under pressure for a place in the side.

Srikkanth, speaking to Star Sports, said Pant should be given the freedom to go big from the word go and that India should not put pressure on him by expecting consistency if he is given an opportunity in the T20 World Cup.

“I think yes, Rishabh Pant is a potential match-winner. Pant is a kind of a player, don’t expect consistency from Pant. Even in 10 innings, if he can play 3 knocks, he can win you 3 matches single-handedly,” Srikkanth said.

Furthermore, former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn said it might be destiny that Pant would get an opportunity in the absence of Karthik in the India XI for the remainder of the T20 World Cup.

Karthik has been struggling to get going in the tournament in Australia, managing just 7 runs in 3 matches so far. Karthik hit 6 off 15 balls in India’s defeat to South Africa on Sunday, getting out to a rash shot in the 16th over when in-form Suryakumar Yadav needed more support from him.

“That’s what he can do in a World Cup, last couple of games. Time to make a hero of himself.. the resurgence of Rishabh Pant. May be this is the exact moment that he is waiting for,” Steyn said.