7 Indians for whom the New Zealand series is crucial to find a place in the World Cup squad

#1 Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik - Always under probation right through his career

Dinesh Karthik is the designated finisher in the current Indian team. He has played some blinders in the last one year which has resulted in some of India’s incredible wins. Even in the second ODI against Australia at Adelaide, he scored 25 not out off 14 balls to finish off the match in the last over.

As a result of his innumerable cameos in the recent past, Karthik has created an impression that he is capable of coming good only in the last 5 overs when the target is in sight. In the first ODI at Sydney, when the situation demanded a longer inning, Karthik failed to get going. A score of 50 or more in a winning cause in the New Zealand series would do Karthik’s confidence a world of good.

The selectors are still keeping the Rishabh Pant option for the World Cup. This has put Karthik under additional pressure to perform. Besides, with the presence of MS Dhoni as the wicket-keeper batsman, Karthik has to justify his position in the team as a specialist batsman every time he goes out to bat.

Right through his career, Karthik has been under enormous pressure to deliver due to lack of opportunities and to hold onto his place in the limited opportunity he got. The New Zealand series will be no different for Karthik. With Pant breathing down his neck, Karthik will have to come up with one or two match-winning innings to book his berth for the World Cup.

To sum up, the New Zealand series, in the context of the World Cup, would be crucial not only for the Indian team as a whole but also for a few individual players. The additional pressure to hold on to their place or to press hard their claim would either formulate them to perform or perish.