T20 World Cup 2024: Can RCB star Dinesh Karthik get into India Squad?

Dinesh Karthik is showing his batting prowess in his final IPL season as a player. The veteran announced this will be his final IPL year ahead of the start of the season, and we have witnessed some superb knocks from him already.

Although Karthik's team Royal Challengers Bengaluru are struggling in the competition, the veteran player has showcased his skills quite vividly.

Karthik is being used as a finisher at RCB and he has honed his role with distinction so far. Amid RCB's dismal season, the India player is one of the few bright sparks.

So far, the 38-year-old has scored 143 runs in the tournament across 5 innings. He has been batting at an average of 71.5 and hitting at a strike rate of 190. After an underwhelming last season, Karthik is looking at his best this term and his latest knock of 53 in just 23 balls against Mumbai Indians epitomized the immense ability he possesses.

But is the T20 World Cup in Karthik's mind? The T20 World Cup is set to be held just after the IPL in the West Indies and the USA. Karthik got an entry in the last edition of the tournament and he will have similar intentions in mind. Although Karthik announced his swansong in IPL, the player is still active for India selection.

Even Rohit Sharma, who is a close friend of Karthik, was seen bantering with Dinesh Karthik to play in the T20 World Cup during their IPL match.

T20 World Cup 2024: Can Dinesh Karthik get into India Squad?

Cricket is a game of uncertainty and the components around it are the same. Although Dinesh Karthik is in the twilight of his career, nobody can rule out another involvement with the Indian team.

Karthik is known for his finishing ability and has been a great servant of the game. In this current RCB squad, the player is having a huge impact and looks likely to play a key role if they are to resurrect their IPL season. But for the Indian team, the scenario changes.

Karthik's inclusion as wicketkeeper-batter is a pickle as there are many players already in the queue. Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma, a returning Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan - this quintet are currently in the race and probably higher than Karthik in the pecking order.

Sanju Samson has been performing brilliantly, and so is Ishan Kishan. Rishabh Pant has already been tipped to be in the India squad. As BCCI selectors have indicated, T20 is being considered as a format for youth exuberance, which makes the likes of Jitesh and Ishan a lot more likely to get an opportunity. Karthik's role as a finisher as other competitors, as Rinku Singh is a prime candidate for that role.

All in all, it looks like a difficult task for Dinesh Karthik to wriggle his way into the Indian team, but Never say Never.