I am delighted that the captain and coach reposed faith in me: Dinesh Karthik

His team’s momentum met a disruption by losing three games on the trot to slump down the points table but Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Dinesh Karthik had a good news as he was picked for the Indian squad heading into the ICC World Cup in England next month. The 33-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman prevailed over young competitor Rishabh Pant to make his second World Cup squad after 2007 though he is yet to play in a game at the highest stage.

Karthik, despite his impressive performance with the bat down the order over the past several months, was overlooked for India’s five-match ODI series against Australia at home last month and Pant got the nod. However, the Delhi keeper-batsman made a mess of the opportunity, allowing Karthik to make the cut eventually because of better skills in keeping. He will be the second keeper in the side after the veteran MS Dhoni.

Karthik, who also hasn’t had a great form with the bat this IPL, was delighted to hear that he eventually made it and celebrated the occasion with rosogollas – Bengal’s signature dessert.

Karthik delighted with the opportunity

Speaking to Boria Majumdar, Consulting Editor Sports, India Today Group, Dinesh Karthik said, “Delighted with the opportunity to represent India at the World Cup. This is a dream come true for any cricketer. I will do all that I can to contribute to a World Cup win. I am delighted that captain Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri reposed faith in me.”

Karthik has remained one of the underachievers of Indian cricket. Having made his ODI debut in September 2004, the Tamil Nadu cricketer has played only 91 matches so far, scoring nine fifties. In the 2007 World Cup held in the Caribbeans, Karthik got a call but since India played only three games in that edition before crashing out, he didn’t have the opportunity to play.

Having returned to the Indian ODI squad after a gap of three years in 2017, Karthik impressed with the opportunities he received, scoring 425 runs in just 17 innings at an average of 46.75. Karthik, who feels India to be among the favourites to win the trophy this year, has also been a regular name in the T20Is and hit a last-ball six against Bangladesh last year to win a tri-series final in Sri Lanka.

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