IND vs SA: I’ve Been Dropped So Many Times And I Always Wanted To Make A Comeback – Dinesh Karthik

Veteran India wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has said that he had been dropped from the Indian team “so many times” and his goal to make a comeback to the setup has kept him going.

Dinesh Karthik, who made his T20I debut in 2006, smashed his maiden T20I half-century in the 4th T20I of the five-match series against South Africa at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Friday, June 17, 2022.

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Dinesh Karthik played a stunning knock of 55 runs off 27 balls, including 9 fours and 2 sixes, to help India win the match. With India’s victory in the 4th T20I, the series is levelled at 2-2 and the series decider will be played in Bengaluru on Sunday.

Speaking in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Dinesh Karthik said that he is proud to make a comeback to the Indian team and added that the atmosphere of the team under head coach Rahul Dravid is incredible.

“I am very happy, very proud. It’s an incredible atmosphere and team to be part of,” he had said ahead of the match. 

“For about three years, I’ve been looking from outside. I’ve been looking at how special feeling it must be to be a part of this team. I am enjoying and very grateful for every second I am here.”

“I think, I’ve been dropped so many times and I always wanted to make a comeback into the Indian team. I think that has been my biggest drive, whenever, whether I’ve played domestic, whether I’ve played IPL,” he said.

Notably, Karthik got his India recall after his remarkable performance for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League 2022 as he scored 330 runs at a strike rate of 183.33 in the cash-rich league.

I had people around me who have really helped me in my journey – Dinesh Karthik

Karthik further said that “the fire in the belly” to make a comeback to the Indian team has kept him going consistently.

“The urge, the fire in the belly in terms of wanting to come back here, wear the national colours and represent the India team is something that I dream of everyday, and that is what has kept me going consistently in the last decade or so.

“I have always found ways to try and enhance my game. I had people around me who have really helped me in my journey. They are some very special people. They have also been part of the journey, part of the ups and downs and the fact that I have always wanted to get back to the Indian colours. The shining light in my life for a very long time,” he said.

Dinesh Karthik also said that playing in India’s first T20I and still representing India in 2022 is a lovely feeling. He said:

“It’s almost a decade and a half, a lot of things have changed. It’s a good feeling to know that you have played the first T20I for the country and now you are playing South Africa again. It’s a lovely feeling.”

#TeamIndia comeback ✅
Motivation level ?
His journey from India's 1st T20I to now ?

You wouldn't want to miss this special interview with @DineshKarthik. ? ? #INDvSA | @Paytm

Full interview ?️ ? https://t.co/ktexXftzL0 pic.twitter.com/F5YSS6D4Qi

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 16, 2022

Also Read: IND vs SA: I’m Thinking A Bit Better & Able To Assess Situations Better – Dinesh Karthik After Winning MoTM vs SA In 4th T20I

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