Dinesh Karthik is having a great time in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) while playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
The 36-year-old has featured in all 8 eight games for RCB, amassing 210 runs at a phenomenal average of 105 and a remarkable strike rate of 200. He has only one half-century to his name so far, but it is mainly due to his batting position, which is lower in the middle order.
With this outstanding display, Karthik has made a strong case for India comeback for the T20 World Cup. However, it remains to be seen if he can pip the swashbuckling Rishabh Pant in the Indian set-up.
Speaking on the same line, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar recently said Karthik will have a stiff task of getting into the playing XI, adding that the RCB batter needs to continue his form in the IPL 2022 season.
“Only if he maintains his current form. I am going to be a little more pragmatic. We are just about halfway through this IPL. Let's wait till the end of the league and see if the form is still intact. When you say we want DK in the team, you want a guy out," Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo.
"But when I'm looking at the incumbents, it's tough to get into India's Playing XI. Because he's looking only at No. 5,6,7 spots. He's not someone who can bat up the order... that's not being considered I think. He will have to displace Rishabh Pant. We will have to start looking at Hardik Pandya vs Dinesh Karthik. It's not going to be easy,” he added.
Karthik’s last appearance for India was in the ODI World Cup in 2019. He has represented the country in 26 Tests, 94 ODIs and 32 T20Is so far.
According to Manjrekar, Dinesh Karthik comes into the playing XI only as a pure batter or a keeper, with all-rounder Hardik Pandya being a crucial member of the side.
"Hardik is necessary for Team India. India have got three seamers and they will likely go with Chahal, who is in the form of his life, and have Jadeja as a backup spinner. But they will need a backup seamer. We saw in the last World Cup that India desperately needed someone to take the burden of a guy who's not having a great night. So, Hardik and Dinesh are not a like-for-like replacements. So, I only see Karthik replacing the keeper or a pure batter," he remarked.
