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Yet Another Dinesh Karthik Story

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Cricket | T20I | 2022 T20 World Cup | India | T20 | IPL | IPL 2022 | RCB | Dinesh Karthik 

Finishing cricket matches for RCB in IPL and keeping wickets. 285 runs at a strike rate of 192.56. No it's not AB de Villiers, it is our very own Dinesh Karthik. Don't believe me? Just Google "Dinesh Karthik stats in IPL 2022". In a cricket career that has seen many ups and downs, it is safe to say that Dinesh Karthik is at his peak right now. Remember the Rubel Hossain over in the Nidahas Trophy Final? Now imagine that same hitting form over an IPL season. What do we get? Millions of people who follow cricket wondering, "Can Dinesh Karthik make a comeback?" Let us come back to that later.

Dinesh Karthik collecting the cricket ball in an IPL match

"My specialty is that I can bat at five, six, seven and help India in setting up the best score possible or in winning games......." ~Dinesh Karthik, via ESPNcricinfo

Hitting 43 boundaries this IPL having faced just 148 balls is phenomenal. What makes this extra special is the fact that he relies heavily on timing rather than power, unlike some of other T20 finishers. There's always a scoop, a lap, a reverse sweep around the corner with Dinesh Karthik at the crease. It is not as if he doesn't have a power game. Ask Fazalhaq Farooqi. He can still hit big sixes standing tall. But this cricketer has added smarts to his batting to give him more consistency due to lesser risk involved.

Walking out to bat at 87-5 against Rajasthan Royals, Karthik needed to take his side over the finish line. With 83 required from 45 balls, someone like Dhoni would have looked to take it deep while a Russell would have started taking on bowlers from the word go. A certain Dinesh Karthik combined the both in an impressive display of cricket taking on Ashwin and Saini in their next overs and then safely playing out Chahal and Prasidh. He picked his bowlers, stuck to his strengths and got the job done with minimum risk. He finished the night unbeaten on 44. Stay calm, know your game and who you can take on, he told Star Sports(IPL broadcasters) later on.

Most runs scored in first 10 balls of innings in IPL; Dinesh Karthik is third on the list

There have been quite a few outstanding finishes from Dinesh Karthik for RCB this IPL season. He has the best strike rate(min. six innings) among all, beating the likes of Russell and Livingstone. The next best Indian is Jitesh Sharma at 167. Karthik is well and truly ahead of the pack. He has been so sensational that RCB captain Faf du Plessis considered getting retired out in order to bring him in, despite being well-set. Tells you the kind of impact he is having with his cricketing skills.

So, can Dinesh Karthik make a comeback into the Indian T20I side? Yes, he can and he should. We haven't seen both Hardik and Jadeja finishing innings of late and Pant is struggling to find a tempo for his batting. In such a scenario, Karthik looks set to take up the finisher's role in the Indian cricket team for T20Is. Add his faultless keeping to the mix and he gives you options to play around with. Indian team selectors have messed up squads in the past but let's hope that they give this hardworking cricketer his due. 

Feel free to comment and do share my post. Also, follow The Fourth Innings on Twitter: https://twitter.com/the4thinnings.

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