I am indebted to RCB for picking me: Dinesh Karthik after his national call-up

Dinesh Karthik earned a call-up to the national team after a staggering three years and nothing feels better for a cricketer than to don the international jersey, no matter how long has he been out of the game.

The wicket-keeping batter has shown exemplary command over the cherry and the way he has batted throughout the fray has been a lesson to many seasoned and new campaigners alike. He has turned on the heat and has played the role of a finisher to perfection, laying waste to bowlers at will.

In the upcoming T20I series against South Africa, he was one of the two Challengers who bagged a national call-up. He was elated over the fact that he would finally return to the fold after a staggering wait.

He opened up about the joy of being called up to the Indian team, saying, “I am very happy. I am very satisfied. This is my most special comeback because a lot of people had given up on me. For me to comeback and do what I did, practice the way I did, so many special things have happened in the lead up to the rock-shell and how I practiced post that.”

Karthik would also heap praises on RCB's head coach Sanjay Bangar and Director of Cricket Operations Mike Hesson, quoting, “I think the clarity that they gave me for me to execute the role that I wanted to do, in many ways I am indebted to RCB for picking me and giving me that role, believing in me and then me coming out here and trying to do my best for team RCB. So, it’s all and all a very very happy feeling.”

The Indian wicket-keeping stalwart will have one eye set on being a part of the Indian team that will travel to Australia later this year for the T20 World cup. Speaking about the current Indian setup with Rahul Dravid at the helm, Karthik said, “There are so many young boys who would be putting up their name for selection, to see the skillset that is out there and believe that this is the guy we need for the World Cup. I think it is a very very humbling feeling. I know that journey is still there to the World Cup but being a part of the scheme of things and getting the opportunity to showcase my skills, I am very proud of it.”