• Sportzyverse
• T20 World Cup 2024
• 04/21/2024
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Dinesh Karthik, the experienced keeper-bat, has expressed his strong desire to return to the Indian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies. At 38 years old, Karthik’s recent performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season have put him in contention for a finisher’s role in India’s lower middle-order.

Dinesh Karthik ‘s Ambition to Represent India

Speaking on the eve of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) clash against his former team, Kolkata Knight Riders, Karthik emphasised his aspiration to play for India in the T20 World Cup. He stated, “At this stage in my life, it would be the greatest feeling for me to represent India [at the T20 World Cup]. 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 expressed confidence in the decision-makers—Rahul Dravid, Rohit Sharma, and Ajit Agarkar—to select the best Indian team for the tournament and pledged to be fully ready for the opportunity.

Karthik has enjoyed a strong IPL 2024 season so far, playing a crucial role in RCB’s campaign. He has scored 226 runs from six innings at an outstanding strike rate of 205.45. His standout performance was an 83-run innings off 35 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru.

His recent form is a significant improvement compared to IPL 2023, where he scored only 140 runs in 13 innings. Despite the underwhelming campaign last season, Karthik has found a new lease of form this year, solidifying his position as a valuable player in the league.

Also read Hardik Pandya ‘s T20 World Cup Selection: A Dilemma for India

India’s Other Options for Keeper-Bat’s Role

Karthik faces stiff competition for a spot in India’s T20 World Cup squad from other keeper-batsmen. The returning Rishabh Pant (210 runs at 156.71 SR), KL Rahul (286 runs at 143.00 SR), Sanju Samson (276 runs at 155.05 SR), and Ishan Kishan (192 runs at 172.97 SR) have all shown good form at the top of the order in the ongoing IPL season.

Among keeper-batsmen in the lower middle-order position, Jitesh Sharma, who featured in India’s last international T20 assignment, has seen a dip in batting form in IPL 2024.

Karthik attributes his current form to his specialised training regimen with long-time coach Abhishek Nayar. He emphasised the importance of understanding his strengths as a player and adapting his practice sessions accordingly.

“These days, as a player, you need to understand your strengths. I’m not [Andre] Russell or [Kieron] Pollard who can mishit a ball and get a six for it. So I need to understand how I can beat gaps, what sort of balls I can hit for boundaries,” Karthik explained.

Karthik’s determination and adaptability have proven successful, as he has learned new shots and strategies to excel in his role as a finisher for RCB.