Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has been in fine form in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the right-hander has amassed 226 runs from seven innings at a remarkable strike rate of 205.45.
During RCB’s last match against SRH at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the 38-year-old too the cricketing world by storm as he smashed 83 off 35 balls with 7 sixes and 5 fours.
Amid the purple patch, Karthik has not lost sight of his dream to wear the Indian jersey once more. He is willing to put in every effort to secure a spot in India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, slated to be held in the West Indies and USA from June 1 to June 29.
Karthik’s last appearance for Team India was during the 2022 edition of the T20 World Cup held in Australia.
"At this stage in my life, it would be the greatest feeling for me to represent India. I'm very, very keen to do so. There is nothing bigger in my life other than representing India in this T20 World Cup," Karthik said on the eve of the clash against KKR.
The wicketkeeper’s slot could be a five-way battle among Karthik, Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals), Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals), Ishan Kishan (Mumbai Indians) and KL Rahul (Lucknow Super Giants). Jitesh Sharma of Punjab Kings is also in the fray.
Karthik said he would respect whatever the selectors and team management decide. "I also feel there are three very, very stable, honest people who are at the helm to decide what should be the best Indian team for the World Cup -- Rahul Dravid, Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar.”
"And I'm completely with them. I respect any decision that they take. But all I can say is I'm 100 per cent ready, and I'll do everything I can to be on that flight to the World Cup."
Dinesh Karthik highlighted the importance of understanding his strengths as a player, focusing on precision rather than power-hitting like an Andre Russell or Kieron Pollard.
"These days as a player, you need to understand your strengths. I'm not a Russell or a Pollard who can just mishit a ball and get a six for it, rather," said Karthik.
"So, I need to understand how I can beat gaps, what sort of balls I can hit for boundaries. And I realised there was a certain pattern in which bowlers were bowling to me, so I needed to try and work out a solution for that.
"Hence, when I practice, I try and understand, okay, if this is what they're going to bowl at me, how am I going to get a boundary, visualising a field that is going to be in place for me.
"So, I worked like that, and I worked backwards, and that helped me, you know, really learn a couple of shots more, at the back end. It's been great to go out there and express myself, and it's been thoroughly enjoyable to do what I'm doing for RCB as a finisher," he added.
(With PTI Inputs)
