Wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel will make a comeback when India play England in Mohali. He is making a comeback after 8 years. He has been scoring heftily in the domestic circuit. India’s regular wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha is injured and he has been a replacement. However, there are questions on the selection. It is being said that many cricketers were performing better than Parthiv Patel.
One of the biggest contenders of the spot was Dinesh Karthik. Karthik has scored 163, 73, 95, 65 and 80 runs in the last few Ranji innings. Parthiv Patel has also scored but not as much as him. Indian head coach Anil Kumble has an explanation to this. He has said that Karthik has been ignored as he is not been keeping wickets for his side Tamil Nadu.
“Regarding Dinesh, at the moment, I don’t think he is keeping wickets for Tamil Nadu and I am not sure why that is a case. But, at the moment, from what I gather he is not keeping wickets,” he said.
Dinesh Karthik reportedly has a hand injury and is playing as a specialist batsman and not as a keeper. India currently need a keeper. That is the reason even Rishabh Pant has not been selected. He has scored 874 runs in the season. Kumble said he was not selected as Parthiv was more experienced and also that his keeping skills were good.
“Parthiv has been really consistent both with his keeping as well as his batting. That’s why Parthiv was chosen. Rishabh has certainly shown the exuberance a young cricketer can bring in. He has shown a lot of batting skills. He has obviously got a lot of runs in domestic cricket. But Parthiv was chosen for his keeping skills and his experience,” Kumble said.
Meanwhile, Parthiv Patel was not troubled with any such questions and explanations as he was busy preparing for the Test of his life. It will be a make or break Test for him. If he doesn’t perform, Saha may replace him in the side again.
