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Ravi Shastri-Dinesh Karthik (Image Source: BCCI/IPL)
Dinesh Karthik proved everyone wrong with his fantastic season for the Bangalore franchise in the Indian T20 Leauge 2022. Now, former India coach Ravi Shastri also considered him as the ‘Finisher’ for Team India in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
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Eyes were raised when RCB Management Team went for this veteran keeper in the mega auction earlier this year. Bangalore showed faith in him and he repaid it with both hands by scoring 330 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 183.33. Especially, he impressed everyone with his instant six-hitting abilities at the dead-end of an innings.
“You need a keeper who will do MS Dhoni’s role” - Ravi Shastri
His performance throughout the tournament has impressed Ravi Shastri . Speaking on Star Sports, he told that this can be his chance to cement his place for the upcoming World Cup later this year. He said: “This is his opportunity. If and when he gets an opportunity in these games, he has to do it with India colours on. We know he has got the experience, so this becomes extremely vital.”
Shastri even added that this veteran keeper can fill up the role of MS Dhoni by scoring some crucial match-winning runs at a quick pace batting down the order. The former Indian coach urged the Team India management to think about using him as a finisher. He said: “You have to see from the team’s point of view, what are they looking for? Do they want a keeper who will bat at the top of the order or do they want a keeper who will be the finisher? I will go for the latter. You need a keeper who will do MS Dhoni’s role, let’s put it that way.”
“There is already Rishabh Pant who can bat in the top four or five in T20 cricket but you want someone who can keep and finish a game because they aren’t too many finishers now with MS (Dhoni) having quit. So, I think that’s where his chances are very very good,” he concluded.
Dinesh Karthik is in the India squad for the upcoming series against the Proteas, starting from 9 June 2022.