I am not somebody who sets goals: Dinesh Karthik

Just a couple of months before the ICC World Cup in England and Wales, Dinesh Karthik received a huge blow. The MSK Prasad-led selection panel sensationally dropped him for the upcoming five-match ODI series against Australia, India’s last assignment before the showpiece event. The snub has pretty much made it crystal clear that Karthik does not feature prominently in the team management’s plans for the World Cup.

The news was a shocker not only for Karthik but for others too. While there were calls to include Rishabh Pant in the team, not many would have expected it to come at Karthik’s price. With MS Dhoni’s finishing abilities on the decline, the team seemed to have pinned its hopes on him.

In return, the Tamil Nadu cricketer also played his role brilliantly, guiding India over the line in several close chases with the final of the Nidahas Trophy being one of the best. Since 2017 Champions Trophy, he has played 20 matches, scoring 425 runs at an average of 47.22 which includes eight unbeaten knocks.

The latest setback, nonetheless, has only underlined Dinesh Karthik’s rollercoaster of a career. He had made his debut even before Dhoni but could never settle down in the team. And perhaps it was the thought process that made all the difference. In a recent interaction, the Tamil Nadu star said that he has never ‘enjoyed setting goals’ as he gears up for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL).

“I am not somebody who sets goals. For some strange reason, it is not something I have enjoyed doing. Though I think if we can go out there and put our best foot on the park and the best we can I will be very happy,” he said on the sidelines of the Mayor’s Cup.

Karthik was also asked about how he would feel if the games are shifted out of Kolkata due to the upcoming general election. In reply, the Kolkata Knight Riders skipper said, “I will miss Kolkata (in such a situation) because there is a certain vibe, certain energy when we play at the Eden. Playing in front 60,000 cheering for you makes a massive difference.”

Different Kolkata Knight Riders

Dinesh Karthik had done a fine job with the team last year. Despite the Knight Riders losing their talismanic skipper Gautam Gambhir, they made it to the playoffs with Karthik leading the side from the front. The team would be looking to build on that and the captain feels the team is more balanced this year after the addition of the likes of Carlos Brathwaite and Harry Gurney.

“We are slightly different to the team we had last year so we are really looking forward to it as a team. We have realised what we lacked last year and we have added resources accordingly so we are a more well-rounded team this year,” the 33-year-old added. Knight Riders will start their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 24 at the Eden Gardens.

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