Opener, finisher or a specialist no 4 - DK can do it all at World cup: Abhishek Nayar

Dinesh Karthik might have been picked as a back-up wicketkeeper for the World Cup but mentor Abhishek Nayar feels the Tamil Nadu cricketer can play the role of an opener, a finisher or a specialist no 4 for India in England.

MSK Prasad led selection committee on Monday picked allrounder Vijay Shankar for the no 4 spot and made it clear that the second wicket-keeper will come into play only if Mahendra Singh Dhoni is injured.

However, Nayar said Karthik could be India's answer for the debatable No 4 spot and can even open if needed.

"He can play a Kedar Jadhav finisher's role to a No 4 batsman's role if needed. He can even open if needed," Nayar, who's credited for resurrecting Karthik's career, told PTI from Mumbai.

"Being a good fielder, adds that value. Of course he's back-up wicketkeeper, but I'm pretty sure that the management will look at him as a specialist batsman if someone is slightly out of form.

"You never know what opportunities this game can bring to you. For his point of view, it's about being just prepared and being ready for that opportunity so that when it comes he grabs it with both hands."
"The KKR Academy in the past year has been very helpful in making sure he gets the preparation required."
"We all have seen the change in DK (Karthik). How calm he is in terms of handling pressure. There has been a huge evolution after becoming the captain of KKR. That has been the major change in DK's career."