Picture Credit: Twitter/ICC/BCCI
Dinesh Karthik has been the centre of attraction for a while now. Since his commentary debut in the WTC Final, Karthik has been rocking the commentary box with his witty, analytical, and lively comments. We are getting into a habit of seeing him in the commentary box rather than on the field. But, Karthik thinks otherwise. He is still looking to play for India at the highest level and has no plans of calling it a day. Dinesh Karthik recently opened up about his exit from the national team and what he thinks about the upcoming T20 World Cup.
I am the middle-order batsman India needs: Karthik
In a podcast interview, Dinesh Karthik talked openly about why he was left out of the Indian team. He also made it clear that he is still hopeful of a recall from the Indian selectors for the upcoming T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022. Karthik also gave reasons for why he can be a good fit in the playing XI. Even though India have hard hitting middle order batsmen like Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja, Karthik thinks India still needs a pure middle-order batsman and he can be that.
“I want to play the sport as long as I am fit. I want to represent India in at least one World Cup of the next two, I think one is in Dubai and the next is in Australia. I had a fabulous time with the Indian T20 team till the time I was dropped due to an unsuccessful World Cup campaign,” said Karthik. “I still play in the IPL for KKR. India does need a pure middle order batsman. They have a lot of top order batsmen who they slot in the middle order. Barring Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, there is no one who is a middle order batsman. They all bat for their franchise from opening to number three, with only exception being Rishabh pant who bats at number 4,” explained Karthik.
Dinesh Karthik last played for India in the 2019 ICC World Cup semifinal where he couldn't do much. Ever since then, he has only played in the IPL where his performance has not been impressive enough. He has struggled to perform in the middle order and was also removed from captaincy mid season.