Shami's inspiring act, Gavaskar picks 3rd opener for WC and more - Cricket News Today, 18th February 2019

Gavaskar backs Karthik to be India's back-up opener for World Cup

Dinesh Karthik has been left out of the squad for the upcoming ODI series against Australia

Iconic batsman Sunil Gavaskar wants Dinesh Karthik to be India's back-up opener for the 2019 edition of the World Cup.

The legendary opener has picked Karthik ahead of Rishabh Pant for the second wicket-keeper's slot due to the Tamil Nadu batsman's ability to play in the middle-order as well as the top-order.

Read more on Gavaskar's views on India's World Cup squad here

Speaking to Sports Tak, Gavaskar affirmed, "I have 13 names in my mind who will surely board the flight to England and they are Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav."

After picking Vijay Shankar as the 14th player, the veteran added, "There should be a flexibility in the team. Dinesh Karthik has opened in Test matches in the past so he can do it in ODIs too."

Interestingly, Karthik is not part of the Indian squad for the upcoming ODI series against Australia. Pant has earned a recall in the 50-over format as the selectors aim to look at all options before selecting the World Cup squad.