A day out from India’s mega-clash against Pakistan in the Super 12 round of the T20 World Cup, veteran Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik poured his heart out on Instagram and thanked and praised skipper Rohit Sharma.
After three years of absence between 2019 and 2022, Dinesh Karthik was recalled to the Indian team earlier this year under the new management of captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid after he’d produced scintillating performances in the IPL 2022 for RCB. Karthik struck 330 runs at a belligerent strike rate of 183 and forced himself back into India’s T20I side.
Impressive performances for India on this return and disappointing shows from Rishabh Pant meant that Dinesh Karthik is now India’s first-choice wicket-keeper heading into the Pakistan clash on Sunday at the MCG.
Karthik reposted a video uploaded by the ICC wherein former Australian captain and now commentator Ricky Ponting was speaking about Karthik’s inspirational return to the Indian team at the age of 37 in the super-specialist role of a finisher.
Karthik wrote some words on Ponting, with whom he’d shared the dressing room in the IPL at Mumbai Indians, and then tagged his friend Abhishek Nayar, who’d helped him get back his mojo when it was difficult times for the wicket-keeper.
Dinesh Karthik mentioned Rohit Sharma, expressing gratitude for believing in him throughout.
“RICKY PONTING was Easily one of my savvy cricketers growing up and I loved every minute I spent with him during my time with MI. A champion leader and an astute reader of the game and the fiercest competitor you could meet and I love that about him. Thanks, Ricky for these beautiful words, which means a hell of a lot to me. I’m hoping to spend some time in the near future with you,” Karthik wrote.
“And to make all of this happen and actually keep believing in me and pushing me every day in my journey here and what a special person he is in my life @abhisheknayar.
“For a man who went through all this, believed in me and always had time for me, and showed me there is light at the end of the tunnel for that I’m ever grateful, that for me is @rohitsharma45.”
Here is Dinesh Karthik’s Instagram post:
