As this year’s T20 World Cup edges ever closer, the focus is slowly beginning to turn on those who could force themselves into contention for the India squad, which will travel to Australia in October.
One of those names on the tips of everyone’s tongue right now is Dinesh Karthik of the Royal Challengers, who has been in sparkling form. The reason for all the chatter came after he smashed an unbeaten 66, which helped RCB to victory over the Delhi Capitals recently.
Talk of playing for the national team fills the experienced wicketkeeper with excitement as he told Reuters it’s his goal to return to the international stage. “I have been working really, really hard,” Dinesh Karthik said. “Sometimes people don’t believe it. But my aim is to do something special for the country.”
It’s been three years since the 36-year-old last strode out into the middle for his country, with his previous appearance coming in the 2019 ODI World Cup against England. But according to ex-New Zealand pace bowler Simon Koull, the time is right to bring him back into the fold, although not in the position he last featured. “Maybe he now goes into the team as a backup batter.
Dinesh Karthik can bat at No. 6 or 7… even No. 5. He is playing so well and with so much confidence at the moment. He’s got all the skills to play when his team is in trouble and find boundaries as well. I think that’s the difference between some of the other batters and DK at present,” Koull said.
Dinesh Karthik’s form with the bat could be vital going into the 2022 T20 World Cup as Rohit Sharma goes into his first major tournament as captain. He’ll be looking to do all he can to raise their game as India are only third favorites for the title in the current Coral cricket odds behind hosts Australia and England. But if they’re to stand any chance of gaining their first T20 World Cup title since 2007, they could do much worse than including Karthik as part of their squad.
Rohit Sharma used Dinesh Karthik’s Bat and scored his maiden half-century for the national team.
In last year’s competition, the Indian side struggled with depth down the order, and that lack of penetration saw them slip out of contention before the semi-final stage. But there’s no question mark around Karthik’s suitability to fill that role, as it only takes a moment to see the difference he’s made to his club side this year.
Not only is his strike rate over 200, but he’s also proved to be a stubborn opponent at the crease. By the end of the game against the Capitals, Karthik had only been dismissed once in the entire season.
Another thing in his favour is that he won’t have any worries about nerves as he’s vastly experienced in the pressure cooker atmosphere of international competition; he’s made 26 test appearances, played in 94 ODIs and has over 30 T20 internationals already under his belt.
For Karthik, he sees it as his destiny. He calls playing for India again his ultimate goal, and who are we to argue.
