IPL 2019 | This edition is as important as previous ones, states Dinesh Karthik
Just before taking to the field for the first game against Hyderabad, Dinesh Karthik has asserted that the 12th edition of the IPL is as important for him like all the seasons of the tournament. Karthik has also added that he will not think much about his World Cup selection during the league.
Kolkata Knight Riders will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opening clash of the ongoing season of the IPL at the Eden Gardens today and the team will have a target of improving their show from the previous season. The KKR skipper asserted that he will not think much about his chances with the Indian team ahead of the World Cup which will begin after the IPL in England and Wales. The Indian selectors ignored the KKR skipper and went ahead with young Rishabh Pant in the recently-concluded series against the Aussies.
However, with the team is scheduled to be picked up during the IPL, Karthik can expect a call from the Indian side if he performs well for the Kolkata side in the league.
"The lesser I think about the World Cup, the better for me. Every IPL is important for a player like me. This year's IPL is also important like every year's," Karthik told reporters in Kolkata, reported PTI.
"The most important thing for me is to do well for KKR and the team to do well. I am sure the World Cup will take care of itself for me.”
Karthik has been playing a finisher’s role in the shortest format of the game for a while now. However, the wicketkeeper wants to play
"It depends on the situation. There are a lot of games last year where I ended up batting in the 17th over. Having experience is
After making it to the playoffs in the last edition, KKR were defeated by Hyderabad, against whom they are going to play the opening encounter of this season. It was an
"He is
"I think having said that, they have a very good bowling attack and it's going to be a very interesting game with two good teams playing against each other."
Speaking about the home venue – Eden Gardens, the wicketkeeper explained, "The soil has changed a bit and that has provided a lot more pace and bounce. That's something we have enjoyed as a team and we have embraced it.”
"It's one of the better wickets going around with