'Both of the keepers will be in play for sure' - Skipper Rohit Sharma on wicketkeeping option for semifinal against England

India skipper Rohit Sharma has made it clear that both Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant are in line for selection ahead of the all-important ICC T20 World Cup 2022 semifinal against England at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday, November 9.

Karthik has been India’s first-choice wicket-keeper in the ongoing World Cup campaign while Pant was given a chance in the final Super 12 fixture against Zimbabwe. However, the southpaw disappointed with the bat as he walked back with just three runs against his name.

Everyone needs to be ready for whichever game they play: Rohit Sharma

"But Pant, I said it before the last game, as well, Rishabh was the only guy who didn't get to play on this tour at all except the two games that we played in Perth. That was an unofficial practice game. But since then he hasn't had a hit, and he was the only guy who was missing some game time, so we wanted to give him some time and have some options, as well, whether if we want to make changes in the semis or the finals, we should be able to do that," said Rohit in the pre-match press conference.

"It would be unfair to just bring the guy from nowhere and make him play the game, so that was the thought. But again, at the same time we've told the guys right from the beginning that everyone needs to be ready for whichever game that they have to play, whether it's semis, final, lead games. They've got to be ready for it.

But yeah, it was a little tactical, as well, considering we were not knowing which team we would be playing in the semis before that Zimbabwe game, so we wanted to just give a left-hander an opportunity to counter some of the spinners who bowled in the middle for New Zealand and England. That was the thought, and we thought Rishabh was the guy for us to go and give him some time, as well," he added.

"But again, what is going to happen tomorrow, I think I won't be able to tell you right now, but both of the keepers will be in play for sure."

It now remains to be seen what call will the team management be planning to take on the day of the crucial knockout clash. The Men in Blue would be expecting either of the two wicketkeepers to score some vital runs by working in tandem with an otherwise strong middle order including the likes of an in-form Suryakumar Yadav and star all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

Meanwhile, India and England will be clashing in their first ICC knockout encounter after the 2013 Champions Trophy final. It was the MS Dhoni-led Indian side that prevailed over the Three Lions in a rain-curtailed contest that day. It was also the last instance of India winning an ICC trophy to date.

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