IND vs SA | South Africa series will be a crucial opportunity for Dinesh Karthik, says Ravi Shastri

06/08/2022

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Ravi Shastri is of the opinion that the upcoming T20I series against South Africa will be an important opportunity for Dinesh Karthik to cement his place in the Indian team. Karthik is coming into the IPL on the back of a superb run of form in IPL 2022 with RCB scoring at a strike rate of 183.33.

IPL 2022 concluded recently and Gujarat Titans won the title. RCB entered the playoffs but were unable to reach the final of the tournament. One of the senior batters in the team, Dinesh Karthik played an important role for them with his clinical finishes. He amassed 330 runs in the IPL 2022 with a massive strike rate of 183.33. Courtesy of his performance, Karthik has earned a recall to the national side for the upcoming T20I series in South Africa.

Sharing his views on Karthik’s recall to the Indian side, Ravi Shastri said that the Indian team would want him to play a similar kind of role like MS Dhoni. Shastri also added that it would be an important chance for Karthik to cement his place in the team.

“This is his opportunity. If and when he gets an opportunity in these games, he has to do it with India colours on. We know he has got the experience, so this becomes extremely vital,” Shastri was quoted as saying on Star Sports.

“There is already Rishabh Pant who can bat in the top four or five in T20 cricket, but you want someone who can keep and finish a game because there aren’t too many finishers now with MS (Dhoni) having quit. So, I think that’s where his chances are very very good.”

The series against South Africa will start on June 6 in New Delhi.