Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, who has been in phenomenal form in this IPL, has not given up on his dream to play for India again and would do “everything he can to be in that flight” to the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies next month. Karthik, who will turn 39 by the time the World Cup kickstarts on June 1, was also part of the last edition of the T20I World Cup in Australia in 2022, which was also his last appearance for Team India. Since then he has become an off-the-field cricket expert, involved in commentary stints.
Returning to IPL this season, he has taken his batting to a new level and displayed some astonishing power-hitting to strike at a rate of 205-plus. He is also the third leading run-getter for RCB with 226 runs, behind Virat Kohli (361) and skipper Faf du Plessis (232).
“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,” the RCB wicketkeeper-batters said ahead of clash against KKR.
With Karthik’s also emerging as a contender, the wicketkeeper slot will be a hotly-contested one for which the Team India think tank may pick two at the most. Making a comeback from a near-fatal accident, Rishabh Pant has also showed positive intent while captaining Delhi Capitals, and Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals), Ishan Kishan (Mumbai Indians), KL Rahul (Lucknow Super Giants) are also in the fray.
Karthik said he would respect whatever the Big Three — coach Rahul Dravid, captain Rohit Sharma and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar — 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.”
