Former India head coach Ravi Shastri said Dinesh Karthik should be on the squad for the T20 World Cup 2022. He assumes that the veteran wicketkeeper-batter will be a better bet for team India when comparable to Ishan Kishan.
He specified the experience and current form of the 2-players as the reason for his choice.
Speaking at a press conference ESPNcricinfo, Shastri stated that Dinesh Karthik has proved to be supremely fit during the ongoing Indian Premier League (TATA IPL 2022). In addition, he said that Karthik’s ability to play the pull and cut shot would add a benefit to the Australian tracks.
Shastri said:
“I will go with the current form and the conditions. The kind of shots that can be played there and the experience coming into play, there’s no doubt about that. And when it comes to the fitness of a player, he is as fit as anyone around.”
Although, he highlighted that it wouldn’t be easy for Karthik to make it to the performing XI. Shastri believed that the 36-year-old could surely be included in the team for the marquee event.
He added:
“He won’t make it to the 11, but he’ll be in the squad. I’m looking at Australia and the kind of conditions and pitches that are there and the kind of shots he has – the cut and the pull.”
While Dinesh Karthik’s IPL career got a new life after being bid by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for ₹5.50 crore at the TATA IPL Mega Auction 2022, he has taken the opportunity with both hands. He has been playing well as a finisher for his side.
He has gathered 210 runs from 7-matches so far in this year’s cash-rich league. It is worth referring to that he has been dismissed just once in the edition and has a great strike rate of 205.88 to his name.
One step at a time ✨ pic.twitter.com/Mtjt2c0HDB
— DK (@DineshKarthik) April 6, 2022
“Dinesh Karthik will be appropriate to Australian conditions” – Chris Lynn.
Australian right-handed batsman Chris Lynn believes that Dinesh Karthik will be a helpful asset for team India in the T20 World Cup 2022. This is specifically considering the conditions in Australia. He noted how the senior performing player had done well Down Under in the past time.
Karthik struggled to secure runs when he was the skipper of the Kolkata Knight Riders(KKR) last year. Although, Lynn thinks that he has made amends by turning things around in his RCB term.
He explained:
“He’s had a couple of lean seasons but I think that was because he was a captain. But now he’s got the freedom to finish games for RCB. He’s got the backing of the guys like Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell and he can just go and whack the ball. He’s going to be suited to Australian conditions. He has done it and proven it before in Australia.”
He added:
“I wouldn’t be looking at him for internationals leading up, but I would just be looking at him for the World Cup. You don’t need to blow him up as you already know what he can do. It’s going to be tough in the 11, but surely can be there in the squad.”
Lynn also said that having Karthik in the team for the T20 World Cup 2022 will also support the team’s youngsters. He concluded:
“He’s got experience and is a good to guy to have around in the group with his work ethic. This is what the youngsters need to see as well. It’s the highs and lows that he’s been through and what he can give to the youngsters. As an Australian, I’d hate to pick Dinesh Karthik because he is such a strength and a weapon for them.”
How to strike and pose 1️⃣0️⃣1️⃣ ft. @DineshKarthik and @faf1307.😉📸 #PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2022 #Mission2022 #RCB #ನಮ್ಮRCB pic.twitter.com/27eeOTM1bF
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) April 22, 2022