Dinesh Karthik was India’s hero with the bat on Friday as his 55 runs off 27 ball hit helped India achieve a winning total of 169 for six against South Africa in the fourth T20I in Rajkot. India had a problem with 81 for four in 12.5 overs when Karthik ran away to bat. But the veteran wicketkeeper batter along with Hardik Pandya swung the balance in India’s favor with a 65-run partnership of just 33 balls for the fifth wicket. The total proved more than enough as the South Africans were tied for 87. The win helped India go 2-2 in the T20I five-game series.
Karthik’s return to the Indian team was an absolute fairy tale. His fortunes took a positive turn when he was picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL mega auction. He then set IPL 2022 on fire thanks to some exceptional performances with the bat, playing the role of the finisher to perfection.
He scored 330 runs in IPL 2022 with an average of 55 and an exceptional strike rate of 183.33. Due to his performances, Karthik was recalled to the Team India lineup.
“Look, I was very stubborn that I wanted to play this World Cup, it’s very important in my life, I’ve been there for so long. I know what it feels like to be dropped. I also know how valuable it is to be for Team India to play I wanted to do something special luckily RCB gave me that platform and the role that I really loved to do at the back I practiced for it now that I’m here I want to be that guy who can help India win those tough matches I know how hard it is to be part of this team. The atmosphere is very different,” Karthik told Hardik Pandya in a video on BCCI.tv.
Speaking about his batting exploits in the fourth T20I, Karthik told Hardik that it was very important for the team to put pressure on South Africa again after a poor first 10 overs.
“As you remember Hardik, on the flight from Vizag to Rajkot, we had a conversation about how to handle certain situations. As a midfield batter you need to know who to target, hitting with you is very comfortable. I know what to expect, what to say.
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“Initially we don’t talk much, but as the partnership progresses there’s a little more fun when we hit. It was an important innings for us, trailing 2-1 and they dominated in the first 10-12 overs. They put put a lot of pressure on us, it was a difficult wicket to save, so I thought it was very important that we put them under pressure again by the way we hit,” said the 37-year-old.
India takes on South Africa in T20I series decider in Bengaluru on Sunday.
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