I would call Dinesh Karthik a fine finisher but actual finishers are KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav: Srikkanth

New Delhi, Aug 10: Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth claims his definition of a finisher is slightly different than others. The former chairman of selectors also discussed who are the best finishers in the current Indian cricket team in the T20Is.

Srikkanth - who was part of the World Cup-winning Indian side in 1983 - said in his book finisher is a guy who can walk into the middle in between eighth and twelfth over and can go on till the final over and win the game for his team. The former India opener reckons Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Suryakumar Yadav are finishers and not just Dinesh Karthik. Karthik has recently been performing the finisher's role and scoring runs consistently at the back end of the innings.

While speaking exclusively on Star Sports show 'Follow The Blues', Srikkanth said, "What do you mean by a finisher? In my book, the finisher is the guy who can take the batting from the 8th or 12th over and go on till the 20th over, and win the match for India. He starts from the 8th or the 6th over, but where is the good finisher? KL Rahul is a good finisher, Rohit Sharma is a good finisher. They go opening by the way. I just can't say that you bat the last 5 overs and say he's a finisher.

"I would like to term Dinesh Karthik, he definitely finds a place in my team too. I would call Dinesh Karthik a fine finisher but actual finishers are guys like Suryakumar Yadav. He is a brilliant finisher."

The 62-year-old cricketer-turned-commentator also backed Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya as the finishers for the duo has been looking to bat deep and explode in the death overs.

You have Rishabh Pant, who is a brilliant finisher. You have Hardik Pandya, who is a brilliant finisher too. I think I would like to clarify that a finisher is a guy who takes the team from the 8th over and goes on till the 20th over."

Watch the full video here:

It's time to finish the game, who would you pick? 🤔

Watch @KrisSrikkanth & @JockMore debate who are the best finishers for #TeamIndia and have your say 👇.#AsiaCup #BelieveInBlue pic.twitter.com/eBgGVoxzWf

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 9, 2022

Speaking on the show, former India wicketkeeper and ex-chief selector, Kiran More discussed whether the emergence of Hardik Pandya as a four-over bowler has convinced captain Rohit and the team management to include another wrist spinner in India's squad for the Asia Cup 2022.

"Yes, definitely. The way Hardik Pandya has got back in form, bowling to 140-147 km. When the captain gets such a player in the team who can bowl 4 overs and take wickets as well as gets runs for the team and a finisher as well, such players are needed in the team."

"But I want to say that this team that has been announced (for the Asia Cup) will not be the same team for the T20 World Cup. Mohammed Shami will definitely be there in the Indian team. The back-up that they are taking along is not the final team, this is just the preparation for the World Cup. I will say that Mohammed Shami must definitely go for the World Cup. The process Rahul Dravid works is the way he is handling the team. In case of back-up if any good bowler is down with injury, then Avesh Khan would fill in his place in Australia because you don't know when you could get injured especially the fast bowlers. Bumrah is currently injured right now, so I think Mohammed Shami or Bumrah will definitely go to Australia for the World Cup."

India will square off against arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2022 on August 28, 7.30 PM onwards, LIVE & Exclusive on the Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar.