Mumbai, Apr 16 (PTI) As for his life, veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik on Saturday said he is “trying everything” to make a comeback in the Indian team. The 36-year-old Karthik, who started his journey in international cricket in 2004, has been playing some great innings for his franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore, who spent Rs 5.5 crore on him at the auction.
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He extended his scintillating form with a blistering knock of 66 off 34 balls, paving the way for RCB’s 16-run victory over Delhi Capitals.
“I have to admit that I have a big goal. I am working really hard. My motto is to do something special for the country. It is part of my journey. I try my best to be a part of Indian team. I’m doing it.” Player of the match Karthik said at the presentation ceremony.
Karthik with his exceptional batting has filled the void created by the departure of the great AB de Villiers in the RCB establishment.
“It’s good to know that people associate Shanti with me. Situation and peace comes from preparation. Shahbaz (with whom he has scored 74 runs) is a special player, he will do special things as a player. He is up for a challenge. He can hit the ball for a long time,” said Karthik.
Karthik has increased his chances of getting selected for the T20 World Cup to be held in Australia.
RCB captain Faf du Plessis praised Karthik fiercely.
“You needed a special innings to score 190, and the credit goes to the two boys, Shahbaz and DK. We thought we weren’t as good at death bowling as we wanted to, so today we had a special plan.
“It was very wet out there, and many teams would fall from what they had started. But we stuck. A good win.”
“The way DK is playing at the moment, I may sound like a broken record, but he is the best he has ever played. He is very outspoken, calm and composed,” Du Plessis said.
Karthik was at his devastating best against Mustafizur Rahman, dismissing the left-arm pacer for 28 in the 18th over, which proved decisive in the end.
“That over from Mustafizur was a game-changer for us. I think we could have bowled according to our plan but in the latter half we were a little below DK. I have said earlier also, we have to learn from our mistakes,” said DC captain Rishabh Pant.
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