Most Special Comeback: Dinesh Karthik on his return to the Indian team!

Who would have thought that we will once again see Dinesh Karthik in the Indian blue? The Charismatic character made his debut in the comm. box last year and everyone pretty much thought that the player is done! It got some pace when Karthik didn’t play domestic cricket to give chance to young cricketers and by then some ‘pundits’ also claimed that he is a full time commentator and a part time cricketer. The 36-year-old proved everyone wrong with his consistent performance and rightfully got back into the national team.

Karthik will be part of the squad during the South Africa series. Based on his form and impact, the wicket-keeper batter should be a part of the first team squad and will probably have the role of finishing games along with Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya. With the kind of fitness that Karthik has, he can actually prove a difference with his impact and who knows may well lift his 2nd World title!

His comeback to the national team is indeed a very special moment. At his age, folks think of hanging up their boots but the determination in what makes him what he is. “Very happy. Very satisfying, I must say that this has been probably my most special comeback because you know, a lot of people had given up on me and for me to come back and to do what I did and practise the way I did with my coach Abhishek Nayar and so many special things that have happened in the lead up to the auction and how I practised post that”, Karthik said in an interview with the Bangalore franchise.

The Southpaw also added, “A lot of credit also to Sanjay Bangar and Mike Hesson, the clarity they gave me for me to execute the role I wanted to do. I am in many ways indebted to Bangalore for picking me and believing in me and then me coming out here and trying to do my best for Bangalore which is a special franchise so all in all, a very happy feeling”.

Even after making a return to the scheme of things as far as Indian cricket is concerned, Karthik remained humble and thanked Rohit Sharma, the captain of the team, Rahul Dravid, the head coach and the selectors.

“I think a lot of credit must go to the selectors, Rohit and Dravid because these days there are so many young boys putting up their names for selection, to see the skill set and then believe this is the guy we need for the World Series is a very humbling feeling. I know the journey is still there to the World Championship, but to be a part of the scheme of things and getting an opportunity to showcase my skills, I am very proud of it and I think I started believing obviously for a long time now”.

Being a finisher, the former Kolkata captain has scored 287 runs from 14 matches with a strike-rate of 191.33 – highest in the tournament. Karthik has revamped himself and justified his spot by playing some brilliant cricket. Many dashed him out but with the kind of self-belief that this man possesses, it is tough to stop him. “I was always believing but people around me obviously gave me a feel that you should not dream too much and I took up the role of a commentator for a bit and that obviously made it look like I am not interested in trying to make a comeback to the Indian team but I have always said that for me playing in Indian team is priority”, said Karthik.