Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has overlooked Indian captain Rohit Sharma and legendary English cricketer Joe Root to name 30-year-old Australian star Travis Head as the best all-format batter in the world right now. Karthik, who retired earlier this year after a two-decade-long career, praised Head for his outstanding performances in the recently concluded five-match ODI series between England and Australia.
Head was in phenomenal form throughout the series, starting with an unbeaten 154 in the opening match. His consistent performances helped Mitchell Marsh’s Australia secure a 3-2 series victory over Harry Brook’s England. Head’s all-around contributions earned him the Player of the Series award.
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Speaking on Cricbuzz’s HeyCB with DK show, Karthik said, “I have to say Travis Head is leading the pack. Yashasvi Jaiswal has batted really well, but he hasn’t had many opportunities in ODI cricket. So, Travis Head at this moment, I would say, is the best all-format batter.”
Head, who missed the first half of last year’s ODI World Cup, made a significant impact upon his return. He scored a century against New Zealand in Dharamsala, and in the final on November 19 in Ahmedabad, he played a match-winning innings of 137 runs, leading Pat Cummins’ Australia to victory and securing the World Cup title.