Dinesh Karthik, the veteran wicket-keeper batter, is enjoying a stellar season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the ongoing IPL 2024, despite the team’s struggles. This has sparked a question – can Karthik make a surprise return to the Indian squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup?
Dinesh Karthik’s finishing flair in final IPL season
Dinesh Karthik, in his swansong IPL season, has embraced the finisher’s role for RCB with aplomb. Averaging a staggering 71.5 at a strike rate of 190, he’s been a lone bright spark for the underperforming team. His recent knock of 53 off just 23 balls against Mumbai Indians showcased his power-hitting prowess.
Dinesh Karthik has smashed 143 runs in IPL 2024 across 5 innings
ICC T20 World Cup ambitions alive?
The ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled for the West Indies and USA after the IPL, might be on Dinesh Karthik’s radar. He featured in the last edition and might be eyeing a repeat performance. This is further hinted at by his close friend Rohit Sharma’s playful banter during their recent IPL match.
Tight race for Indian wicketkeeper’s slot
However, Dinesh Karthik faces a stiff challenge in returning to the Indian squad. The wicketkeeper-batsman position is crowded, with players like Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan all vying for selection.
Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan have been in excellent form, while Rishabh Pant’s return seems almost guaranteed. The selectors have also shown a preference for youth in T20 cricket, which might favour Jitesh and Ishan. Additionally, Rinku Singh’s emergence puts pressure on Karthik’s finisher role.
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Uphill battle for ICC T20 WC
While Karthik’s path back to the national team looks challenging, his experience and recent form cannot be ignored. Cricket is a game of surprises, and a strong finish to the IPL could turn some heads. Ultimately, only time will tell if Dinesh Karthik can defy the odds and secure a coveted spot in India’s ICC T20 World Cup squad.
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