IPL 2024: ‘He has golden chance to be India’s match-winner’, Rayudu calls for DK’s inclusion in T20 WC squad

Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu advocated for Dinesh Karthik’s inclusion in the 2024 T20 World Cup squad after the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wicket-keeper batter smashed a 35-ball 83 in the losing cause against Sunrisers Hyderabad at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Chasing a mammoth total of 287, Du Plessis (62 off 28) and Virat Kohli (42 off 20) set the tone for the RCB chase. Then came a vintage performance by Dinesh Karthik, who single-handedly kept the hosts in play with 35-ball 83, as RCB finished with 262 for 7.

In 7 games until now, the veteran has racked up 226 runs at an average of 75.33 and a strike rate of 205.45 with 2 half-centuries. Rayudu revealed that Karthik has always been in the shadow of MS Dhoni and did not get a lot of opportunities to showcase his talent.

“From his childhood, I have seen how talented he is. He has always been in the shadow of MS Dhoni and he did not get a lot of opportunities to showcase his talent. He has a golden chance to be India’s match-winner one last time and end his career by lifting the World Cup. So, I believe that Karthik should be taken to the World Cup,” Rayudu told Star Sports.

However, Irfan Pathan on the other hand was of a different opinion regarding Kathik’s selection and said that the bowler in the ICC event will be of a different level and it will not be easy for Karthik to score runs against them.

“He is playing in full flow; he is looking in great rhythm. But Indian cricket and World Cup are on a different level. In World Cups, you won’t see uncapped players bowling. There is no Impact rule either. Your batting becomes a little limited there and playing in that pressure is different,” said Pathan.