India's experienced wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik has backed his fellow gloveman the young Rishabh Pant to come good in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand starting June 18 at Southampton.
New Zealand, who are playing a two-match Test series against the hosts England will get an ideal preparation for the summit clash, however, Karthik was of the view that since the match has been conducted at a neutral venue, no team would be at a major advantage or disadvantage as many have said that New Zealand will find the conditions in England similar to that of home.
Karthik said that India have an amazing batting line-up and they have a good chance of winning the game if they manage to stitch good partnerships. While talking about the batting order, Karthik heaped praise on Rishabh Pant, who has been in the form of his life.
Pant since the Melbourne Test match turned his fortunes around playing for India and became a regular feature in all the formats of the game. Karthik reckoned that Pant's presence instills fear in the opposition.
While talking to The Times of India, “He lends flexibility to the team and the management has the opportunity to play the extra batsman or the bowler as per requirement. And what is most important is the way he instills fear in the mind of opposition. Pant has the effect that Virender Sehwag or Adam Gilchrist used to have on rivals."
Pant, who hit a 92 and 89* Down Under against Australia hit his first Test century in India during India's home Test assignment against England. Since then the wicket-keeper batsman went on to captain his franchise in the IPL and has improved his temperament while batting and his keeping as well.
Karthik was also confident that he will be ready for the English conditions having hit his first-ever century in the longest format there. "He can take the game away from them. Pant has been to England before, has a century at The Oval, and knows how to deal with the conditions,” he added.
