Former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli was incredibly happy with the way keeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has been performing for the team and said that even AB de Villiers would be proud of him finishing games for the franchise.
Karthik, who was bought by RCB in the IPL 2022 mega auction for INR 5.50 crores, has been in thick of things, scoring 197 runs in 6 matches at a staggering strike rate of over 200. He scored an incredible 66* in 34 balls for RCB against Delhi Capitals in a crunch IPL 2022 match on Saturday, April 16 at the Wankhede.
He hit 5 sixes and 5 fours in his knock and helped RCB put on 189/5 from a position of 92/5 in 11.2 overs at one time. He even picked apart DC’s Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman for 28 runs in one over.
IPL 2022: 'Trying everything to be a part of the Indian team'- Dinesh Karthik
After the match, which RCB won by 16 runs, Virat Kohli interviewed Dinesh Karthik for the IPL website and a video was posted on the official Twitter account of the IPL.
"I haven't done this a lot. But here I am, today is a special night to do it. I am here with the man of the moment, 'Man of the IPL' for me so far. It's been wonderful. I won't even say 'long may it continue' because it will and you're in that of space and I can see that. It was an honour to watch you bat again. Thanks for getting us across the line. This is the best I have seen you bat since IPL 2013,” Kohli told Karthik.
Kohli then asked Karthik about his preparations for the IPL 2022 tournament and Karthik revealed that he had gotten a call from RCB head coach Sanjay Bangar after the IPL 2022 mega auction during which the former India all-rounder had spoken about the need to do the finisher's job in the absence of AB de Villiers.
"There is a small term goal and there's a bigger vision as well. The small-term goal is to obviously do very well for RCB. I think credit to the RCB backroom staff. The day I got picked Sanjay bhai (Bangar) called me and said 'DK you'll be playing the finisher's role'. We have lost out on AB, we can't replace him with anybody half as good. We need 2-3 players to do that role'. He is that good. Then I took it upon myself to figure out that 'okay, this is what I want to do'," Karthik said.
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Karthik also spoke about his vision to play for India in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in 2022 to be hosted by Australia.
"The bigger vision is that I want to play for the country. I know there is a World Cup around the corner. I want to be part of that World Cup desperately and help India cross that line. It's been a long time since India won a multi-nation tournament. I want to be that person who is helping India do that. For that, you need to be aware of so many things, try and be that player who people think 'hey this guy is doing something special.
Every day I practice with that intent in my mind. Credit to my coach who has put me through so many drills to make sure I get the best out of myself. As you grow older, it's important to stay fit. I have tried my best to do it. I am so happy contributing to RCB. This is my 2nd time with RCB and I wanted to do something special. For a start, it feels privileged that you're asking me these questions," Karthik added.
However, Virat Kohli didn’t stop there with his praise for Karthik and even said that AB de Villiers would be proud of the way he has been finishing the games for RCB.
"I am very happy that DK is so clear with his goals. I can surely tell you that you have presented a very strong case, moving forward, playing T20 cricket not just for RCB but I am sure a lot of people are taking notice at the highest level as well. You mentioned AB and I think AB will be very proud watching from Pretoria, sitting at home and watching you finish games for us and take the team across the line," Kohli added.
Here is the video of the interview:
(India Today inputs)
