Dharmani has been around for more than ten years, though he's only been wicketkeeping in half the matches he has played. However, he is a steady hand behind the stumps and won't let the team down. His batting is good enough for an Indian top-6, which makes him a genuine contender for thse spot, but didn't help himself much by fielding elsewhere. As a batsman, he can play the waiting game and steady the innings, to build a partnership. He can attack when needed and is capable of letting loose a few strokes. He was once considered as a contender for the wicketkeeper position, but they stuck to Mongia and played Dharmani as a batsman instead. Better choice than Bisla, who was with Haryana as an opener and medium-pacer- better to avoid such selections.
Why go in for an extra batsman? Dharmani is as good a batsman as anyone on the bench and can replace the out-of-form top-six regulars, without doing much wrong. Sure, Venugopal may deserve a place in the side, but there are four heavyweights ahead of him, as well as a fringe batsman wo can keep. This is also a good chance for Pathan to put his six-hitting to good use at seven, from which both he, and more imporantly, his team, will benefit.
