Dinesh Karthik Optimistic About T20 World Cup Selection: “I’ll Do Everything I Can to Be on That Flight”
Almost two years since his last game in the Indian team, Dinesh Karthik remains hopeful for a spot in the Indian squad for the forthcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA.
The 38-year-old cricketer, who last played in the 2022 T20 World Cup, has been delivering an impressive performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League season.
Karthik has scored 226 runs in six innings, with an average of 75.33 and a strike-rate of 205.45.
Shining as a finisher for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Karthik has made a strong case for his inclusion in the T20I squad with the T20 World Cup just over a month away.
“At this stage in my life, representing India at the upcoming T20 World Cup would be the greatest feeling,” Karthik expressed in a press conference before RCB’s next IPL match.
“I’m very keen to do so. There is nothing bigger in my life than representing India in this T20 World Cup. I have faith in the three very stable, honest people who are at the helm to decide the best Indian team for the World Cup – Rahul Dravid, Rohit Sharma, and Ajit Agarkar. I respect any decision they make. But I’m 100% ready and I’ll do everything I can to be on that flight to the World Cup.”
Several players are vying for the wicketkeeper spot in India’s squad for the mega event.
Since 2023, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma have kept wickets for India in T20Is. All three, along with a few others including Karthik and Rishabh Pant, are in contention for a spot. Pant has made a remarkable comeback to professional cricket after a major accident in late 2022.
Dinesh Karthik’s game is never to be underestimated. What a player, what a knock! #RCBvSRH #TATAIPL #IPLonJioCinema | @RCBTweets | @DineshKarthik pic.twitter.com/UHnsbtFheP
Karthik’s strength lies in his ability to hit big in the death overs, a skill that earned him a place in India’s last T20 World Cup campaign.
The wicketkeeper-batter has scored two fifties in six games this IPL season, impressing with his ball-striking once again.
“When I practice, I visualize the field and the kind of bowling I’ll face. I work backwards from there, learning a couple of more shots at the back end. It’s been great to express myself and thoroughly enjoyable to perform as a finisher for RCB.”
With the deadline for naming the squads approaching and the tournament just over a month away, Karthik will have a few more games to strengthen his case.