NEW DELHI: Going through a purple patch this Indian Premier League season, veteran ‘keeper-batter
Dinesh Karthik
is determined to represent India once again and is willing to put in every effort to secure a spot in the squad for the upcoming
T20 World Cup
, which is set to take place in the USA and West Indies next month.
Karthik, who will celebrate his 39th birthday before the start of the tournament on June 1, has not lost sight of his dream to wear the Indian jersey once more.
The veteran cricketer's last appearance for Team India was during the previous edition of the T20 World Cup held in Australia in 2022.
But his outstanding performances in the ongoing IPL have reignited hopes of him making a comeback to the national team.
Karthik said he is determined to do everything he can to be in that flight to the World Cup.
"At this stage in my life, it would be the greatest feeling for me to represent India. I'm very, very keen to do so. There is nothing bigger in my life other than representing India in this T20 World Cup," the RCB wicketkeeper-batters said ahead of clash against KKR.
Returning to IPL this season, Karthik has taken his batting to a new level and displayed some astonishing power-hitting to strike at a rate of 205-plus.
He is also the third leading run-getter for RCB with 226 runs, behind
Virat Kohli
(361) and skipper Faf du Plessis (232).
With Karthik's also emerging as a contender, the wicketkeeper slot will be a hotly-contested one for which the Team India think tank may pick two at the most.
Making a comeback from a near-fatal accident, Rishabh Pant has also showed positive intent while captaining Delhi Capitals, and Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals), Ishan Kishan (Mumbai Indians), KL Rahul (Lucknow Super Giants) are also in the fray.
Karthik said he would respect whatever the Big Three -- coach Rahul Dravid, captain Rohit Sharma and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar -- decide.
"I also feel there are three very, very stable, honest people who are at the helm to decide what should be the best Indian team for the World Cup -- Rahul Dravid, Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar.
"And I'm completely with them. I respect any decision that they take. But all I can say is I'm 100 per cent ready, and I'll do everything I can to be on that flight to the World Cup."
'I'm no Russell or Pollard'
Karthik further emphasised the importance of understanding his strengths as a player, focusing on precision rather than power-hitting like an Andre Russell or Kieron Pollard.
He said he analyses bowlers' patterns to strategise his shots, visualising scenarios during practice to enhance his batting repertoire.
"These days as a player, you need to understand your strengths. I'm not a Russell or a Pollard who can just mishit a ball and get a six for it, rather," said Karthik.
The other day Karthik smashed seven sixes and five fours in his 35-ball 83 in pursuit of a record 288 but eventually RCB fell short by just 25 runs.
"So, I need to understand how I can beat gaps, what sort of balls I can hit for boundaries. And I realised there was a certain pattern in which bowlers were bowling to me, so I needed to try and work out a solution for that.
"Hence, when I practice, I try and understand, okay, if this is what they're going to bowl at me, how am I going to get a boundary, visualising a field that is going to be in place for me.
"So, I worked like that, and I worked backwards, and that helped me, you know, really learn a couple of shots more, at the back end. It's been great to go out there and express myself, and it's been thoroughly enjoyable to do what I'm doing for RCB as a finisher," he added.
(With inputs from PTI)
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