At 36, Dinesh Karthik makes a return to India’s squad after a hiatus of three years. Many cricket experts thought Karthik’s International career was done and dusted but the veteran kept believing.
Karthik worked hard on his game and he was able to reap rewards in the ongoing Tata IPL 2022.
The experienced batter was able to grab his opportunity as a finisher for RCB and scored 287 runs in 14 matches at an average of 57.40 and a blistering strike rate of 191.33. These are sensational T20 numbers and they were enough to impress the national selectors. As a result, Karthik was included in India’s 18-man T20I squad for the series against South Africa.
Karthik has already revealed his dream of playing for the country in the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia and this selection is one-step in the right direction for him. The right-hander will now look to deliver the goods against the Proteas and make a case for himself in the T20 World Cup squad.
Karthik has improved his finishing game by manifolds in the recent past and the results are palpable. The veteran has ticked the right boxes and he will look to continue the good show in the five-match T20I series, beginning on 9 June in Delhi.
Karthik said on RCB Bold Diaries: “Very happy. Very very satisfying, must say that this has been probably my most special comeback because a lot of people had given up on me and to come back and do what I did, and practice with Nayar and so many special things that have happened in the lead up to the auction and then how I practice after that.”
Karthik gave his gratitude to Royal Challengers Bangalore for backing him to play the finisher role in IPL 2022.
“A lot of credit also goes to Mike Hesson and Sanjay Bangar, the clarity they gave me to execute the role that I wanted. I’m in many ways indebted to RCB for picking me and giving me that role, believing in me and then me coming out and trying my best for this team RCB, which is a special franchise.”
Karthik has played a key role in taking RCB to the playoff stages. RCB will face Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator on Wednesday at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
