IPL 2019 | Everything is back on track, says Dinesh Karthik after sculpting World Cup spot
Things are back in track for KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik after being named as the back-up wicketkeeper in the Indian World Cup squad, which was announced on Monday. Karthik pipped Rishabh Pant in the race and will now be focusing on clinching his maiden Indian Premier League title.
Dinesh Karthik’s international cricket career took a massive hit after he was overlooked for the DOI series against Australia earlier this year. This was also the last ODI series that India played before they could begin their World Cup campaign on May 30. However, fortune smiled at the elegant right-handed batsman, when selectors named him in the 15-man Indian World Cup squad on Monday.Â
Not many thought that Karthik would make it to the World Cup squad after being dropped for the five-match series against Australia. Rishabh Pant was the front-runner, but Karthik got a nod ahead of the southpaw on the back of his experience and slightly better wicket-keeping skills.
With the World Cup spot being sealed, Karthik has been of the opinion that the focus would be back on the IPL now. “Now that the team has been picked all those have been part of the team have been announced, I think the focus back on IPL. I think everything is back on track,” Karthik told reporters prior to their IPL encounter against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Eden Gardens, reported PTI.Â
“All the players are looking forward to a clean slate of games and some good cricket being played in the next few rounds. It’s a fabulous tournament to be a part of, every franchise is giving everything they have to you, so lift that coveted trophy.”
KKR are now placed sixth on the points table despite kick-starting their IPL campaign on a high and their primary goal now would be to make it to the playoffs.