Asia Cup 2022: When Dinesh Karthik was taken on board by Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of IPL 2022, it was a surprise. However, RCB’s Director of Cricket operations Mike Hesson gave him a clear role of a finisher in the last five overs in AB de Villiers absence and it reignited his career. It has helped him down the same role for Team India in the shorter format, and the franchise has played a huge role in it. Follow Asia Cup 202 Live updates with InsideSport.IN
The wicket-keeper batter from Tamil Nadu has played some important knocks for India in the last couple of months. And by the looks of it, the player will also travel with the Indian team for the T20 World Cup in Australia in October.
It all happened after his splendid show in the IPL. He scored 330 runs at an average of 55 and a strike rate of 183. Both his average and strike rate was the best in any of the seasons he played previously, showcasing how he took the new role like duck to water.
In fact, Karthik also should be thankful towards Ab De Villiers, who created a void post his retirement from all forms, including IPL. Hesson revealed that getting an Indian finisher was tough, but they finally zoomed in on Karthik, and the move flourished.
“To get an Indian finisher was difficult. The role requires experience because there is a lot of pressure that needs to be absorbed. We had AB de Villiers who was outstanding in the role but there are very few players who are like ABD. For us to have an Indian player fulfil that role, we felt we needed somebody who would do it differently,” Hesson told The Times of India in an interview.
A duo that is ready to 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐤 & 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐥! 🕺🪩@DineshKarthik & @hardikpandya7 – describe this #TeamIndia batting pair in one word! pic.twitter.com/fOskv2oPpv
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 16, 2022
“DK is a different type of power player and not many thought of him as a power player. But we watched him closely from overs 15-20 and he did well in those overs. He hadn’t done particularly well when he was given other roles (before RCB) and we felt he had plenty to offer.”
Interesting days lie ahead for Karthik: In the recent months both Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant has played for India in the same match. But with the big guns all back and important series like the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup, it remains to be seen if the management will follow the same, and pick Karthik as a specialist finisher.
However, there have calls from various experts and cricketers alike suggesting that there is no room for both and wants Rahul Dravid to pick one.
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