World Cup 2019 | Dinesh Karthik gets backing from Simon Katich for No. 4 spot in India’s batting order

Dinesh Karthik's international career took a massive turn when he was overlooked for the ODI series against Australia at home earlier this year. But he defied all odds and sculped a spot in the Indian World Cup squad which was announced on Monday. Karthik pipped Rishabh Pant in the race of India’s back-up wicketkeeper and his primary goal now would be to focus on his side KKR in the IPL.

With the bigger battle won, it is time for Karthik to focus on IPL and achieve his ‘goal’ of lifting the prestigious title, said Simon Katich, KKR batting coach. 

“He (Karthik) is always full of energy. Now it’s about going out there and lifting the IPL trophy and achieving his ultimate goal,” said Katich, reported Scroll.

“You never believe you are a great leader, until actually you have success in lifting a trophy. That’s when you finally believe you have done a great job. He too has got that in him and hopefully he achieves that goal. He is on the journey.”

The No.4 spot in the Indian line-up is still uncertain and definitely up for the grabs. Katich feels Karthik could be a good option for the said position and is well capable to shoulder the responsibility. 

“He’s very consistent. There’s no doubt he has done the job of a finisher when he got an opportunity. He can potentially bat higher. There’s a lot of talk around that No 4 spot and he’s the sort of guy who likes to spend some time in the middle,” said Katich.

“Once he is set, he is very hard to bowl to at the back end of an innings. He has got all the tricks. He also has got the timing and and power to clear the rope particularly off the short ball. He played a couple of hook shots for sixes in Delhi."