Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has reckoned that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik is capable of changing the complexion of the game in TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 with his batting exploits.
Karthik has been finishing games for his franchise in the ongoing season and the former Indian captain backed the senior Indian cricketer to do the same for the national side during the T20 World Cup.
While speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports, Gavaskar said: “Of course, he’ll be the RCB player to watch out for in the game against Lucknow. He’s just changing the complexion of the game with his performance. He’s doing it for his team. He said he wants to be a part of the Indian Team for the T20 World Cup.”
“So what I am saying is don’t look at his age, just look at what he’s producing. He’s doing the job that you can expect him to do at number 6 or 7 at the World Cup,” he added.
Notably, Karthik has amassed 197 runs from six games of the ongoing IPL season, averaging 197.00.
Couple of days back, Karthik played a breakthrough knock of 66 runs against Delhi Capitals (DC) and after the game he said that he is trying his best to be a part of the Indian team.
“I have been working really hard. I have been trying to do everything to be a part of the Indian team. Depends on the bowler, whoever is bowling well. I respected Kuldeep as he was bowling well. When you are batting at the death, you try and get under the ball more while hitting. You make me sound like a serial killer (laughs when asked as to how was he so calm and hit them so hard at the same time),” said Karthik in a post-match presentation.
Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden claimed RCB’s senior batting trio of Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell will fire against LSG in their upcoming contest.
While speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports, Hayden said: “The RCB side have got some good mix of talent and there are a few players who are going to have a crack in the game. RCB have their captain Faf du Plessis who scored an impressive 88 in the first game but his form has tapered off a little bit.”
“Of course, they’ve got Glenn Maxwell there as well. He has also made a few footprints in the tournament. So with Virat, Maxi and Faf, expect fireworks from them,” he added.
Significantly, RCB will be up against LSG in the 31st match of the ongoing season at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
Both RCB and LSG have eight points from six games after winning four of it and losing two. One thing which separates both the sides in NRR (Net Run Rate) as the du Plessis-led side has 0.142 while the KL Rahul-led team has .296.