I want to represent India in at least one World Cup of the next two: Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik, of late, has been hogging a lot of limelight for his brilliance in the commentary box. Although these are the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman’s early days in the broadcasting business, his witty remarks and sharp analysis impressed one and all. However, this doesn’t mean Karthik’s ambitions of shining over the 22 yards are over. The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer is still determined to represent India in a global event.

For the unversed, the dasher hasn’t played for the national team after the 2019 World Cup in England. With Karthik being 36, he’s certainly in the twilight of his career, and the selectors haven’t either shown much interest in him lately. Nevertheless, Karthik hasn’t given up on his plans of donning the India blue jersey again. He, in fact, wants to feature in at least one of the next two T20 World Cups.

I had a fab time with the Indian T20 team: Dinesh Karthik

“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 fab time with the Indian T20 team till the time I was dropped due to an unsuccessful World Cup campaign,” Karthik said on the ’22 Yarns’ podcast hosted by Gaurav Kapur.

The star wicketkeeper, who has also been an integral part of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, believes India doesn’t have any genuine middle-order batsmen barring Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya. Hence, he can occupy that spot in the marquee competitions.

“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 franchises from opening to No.3, with only exception being Rishabh Pant who bats at No.4,” Karthik concluded.

The veteran will next be seen in the second leg of IPL 2021 which gets underway in UAE in September later this year. With the T20 World Cup commencing right after the Indian competition, Karthik needs to put up an exceptional show to defy the odds and make a place in India’s squad for the event.