Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Dinesh Karthik has thrived in the role of a finisher in the ongoing IPL 2022, putting his name forward for a place on the Indian side with the T20 World Cup 2022 on the horizon.
With a strike rate of 205.88, the keeper-getter has scored effective knocks of 32, 14, 44, 7, 34, 13, and 66. He's also unbeaten in six of the seven innings he's played.
Karthik, who is 36 years old, last played for India in the ICC World Cup semifinal loss to New Zealand in 2019. In this year's IPL, Karthik is making waves with his bat, but the question is whether he can replace Rishabh Pant in the lineup.
Former India tweaker Harbhajan Singh believes Karthik pips everyone, even Pant when it comes to contention for T20 World Cup. Harbhajan Singh, who played under Karthik at Kolkata Knight Riders, emphasized how the wicketkeeper-batter has improved his team's ability to finish games.
“If we have to consider the form and what he's doing for RCB, he has been unbelievable with the bat. He was always a good wicketkeeper. Karthik was an unbelievable keeper from Day 1. He has now donned the role of a finisher with the bat. Last year he was quite off-color for Kolkata Knight Riders. He didn't score too many runs,” Harbhajan told Sportskeeda.
"He was getting dismissed in a crunch situation but he's now helping Bangalore win from that position. He is winning you games... I will put him ahead of everyone including Rishabh Pant. He should be your first choice going to Australia.
"Fast bowlers will get an extra bounce in those conditions. But Karthik is playing the 360-degree game at the moment. He's been unstoppable and should be definitely included in India's squad for T20 World Cup. If a player is doing well, he should be brought back into the side, and DK hasn't performed that bad in international cricket. He needs to be provided consistent opportunities with the Indian team. He will score a lot of runs for India," he further added.
Karthik had indicated an interest in returning to the national team. He's presently utilizing the IPL to work his way back into the Indian team and help the country win the T20 World Cup.
"There is a small term goal and there is a big term goal. The small-term goal is to do well for RCB. The big term goal was to play for the country," Karthik recently told Virat Kohli in an interaction.
"I know there is a World Cup round the corner I want to be a part of the World Cup desperately and help India cross the line. It has been a long time since India has won a multi-nation tournament and I want to be that person who is helping India do that for that you need to prepare differently you need to be aware of so many things."
(Sportskeeda inputs)
