‘I am indebted to RCB for picking me’ – Dinesh Karthik

Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik is delighted with his comeback in the national team and is determined to make a mark. The 36-year-old has been on a roll in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, playing one scintillating knock after another. Coming to bat lower down the order, Karthik has been nothing but a nightmare for bowlers in slog overs. In fact, he was instrumental in taking RCB to the playoffs.

With the dasher thriving in the role of a finisher, the national selectors picked him for the upcoming five-match home T20I series against South Africa, which gets underway on June 19. Notably, Karthik last played for India in the 2019 World Cup semi-final clash against New Zealand. As his performances in the previous two IPL seasons weren’t staggering either, many didn’t back him to don the India blue again.

This is my most special comeback: Dinesh Karthik

However, the Tamil Nadu-born cricketer defied the odds with his stellar show in IPL 2022. Meanwhile, Karthik termed this comeback ‘most special’ as he had to grind really hard. “I am very happy. I am very satisfied. This is my most special comeback because a lot of people had given up on me,” Karthik was quoted as saying by RCB’s official website.

“For me to comeback and do what I did, practice the way I did, so many special things have happened in the lead up to the rock-shell and how I practiced post that,” he added. The swashbuckler also lavished massive praises on RCB’s head coach Sanjay Bangar and Director of Cricket Operations Mike Hesson.

“I think the clarity that they gave me for me to execute the role that I wanted to do, in many ways I am indebted to RCB for picking me and giving me that role, believing in me and then me coming out here and trying to do my best for team RCB. So, it’s all and all a very very happy feeling,” he added.

Meanwhile, the T20 World Cup 2022, which will be played in Australia, is just few months away and India are to play quite a few T20Is leading up to the completion. Hence, Karthik is expected to get substantial chances to prove his worth.