Was Dropped Many Times But Kept Dreaming Of Playing For India: Karthik

Mumbai: India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik said he was dropped from the Indian team many times but kept working consistently in the last decade to make a comeback.

In a video uploaded on bcci.tv, Karthik depicts the amazing transformation that the T20 format has undergone over the years.

“It’s been almost a decade and a half, so a lot of things have changed. Nice to know that you played the first T20I (India’s first T20I) and then obviously came back and played against South Africa. Cricket was what it was for 15 years. What was there has now completely changed, especially in this format,” he said.

https://twitter.com/DineshKarthik/status/1537323059861811201?s=20&t=YvLKZvIrepu8glrbVV6uaQ

He further went on to say, “The fact that I’ve been a part of it and watched it evolve at different stages… It’s a completely different animal than it was before To still be around and enjoy this, be part of the national team, I have no prouder way of putting it. Representing India means the most to me, and I am lucky to be here.”

“It’s an incredible atmosphere and team to be part of. For three years now, I have been looking from the outside. I know what a special feeling it is to be part of this team. I am very grateful and enjoying every second that I am here.”

After going through a difficult phase, he said, ‘I have been dropped many times and I have always wanted to return to the Indian team. That has been my biggest drive. Whether I have played domestic (cricket), whether I have played IPL, the fire in the belly in terms of wanting to come back here and wear the national colours and represent India is something that I dream of every day. That has kept me going consistently in the last decade.”

After being dropped from the Indian team after some poor performances in the 2019 World Cup, Karthik made a comeback at the national level for the ongoing T20I series against South Africa. He scored 330 runs for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the illustrious IPL 2022 season at a strike rate of 183.

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