'Was Overshadowed By MS Dhoni...Golden Chance to be India's Match-Winner': Ambati Rayudu Backs Dinesh Karthik to Make T20 WC Squad

Dinesh Karthik of Royal Challengers Bangalore plays a shot during match 25 of the Indian Premier League season 17 (IPL 2024) between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore held at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on the 11th April 2024. (Sportzpics)

The numbers don’t lie, except for when they denote the age of Dinesh Karthik. The 38-year-old wicketkeeper still packs a punch with the bat, as he proved last night, running wild over the SRH bowlers for a trailblazing 35-ball 83 in the losing cause against Sunrisers Hyderabad at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

This isn’t merely the first fiery outing from Karthik, who has consistently been one of the most clinical finishers not just for RCB, but in the IPL this season, as his ability to wreak havoc over in the death overs has been well-established. 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.

Stay updated with the latest from IPL 2024, including top contenders for the IPL 2024 Orange Cap and IPL 2024 Purple Cap. Explore the complete IPL 2024 Schedule, IPL 2024 Points Table and players with the Most Sixes, Most Fours and Most Fifties in IPL 2024

His recent form has sparked major debate over whether the aging keeper must be included in the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in June, and one name that has vouched for Karthik is none other than former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu.

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, former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan did not agree with Rayudu. In fact, he believed that Karthik would struggle, if selected, as stated that the calibre of bowlers he will have to face will be even more intense and perhaps may hinder the aging keeper.

“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.