Dinesh Karthik says he is 'privileged to be part of Virat Kohli’s team'

What’s the story?

Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has said he believes it was a privilege to have played in a side led by Virat Kohli. Karthik believes that the current team will leave a legacy in the next few years as one of the greatest Indian cricket teams.

"I am proud to be part of a team that is going to leave a legacy in the next few years as one of the greatest teams India has ever seen in terms of the players that have represented the country, which is led by a fantastic leader and has some seriously good senior players,” the 32-year-old told the Press Trust of India.

“The great thing is that the bowlers are able to bat, which adds depth to the side. I am honoured and privileged just to be part of this team," he added.

Heaping praise on Kohli, Karthik said, "very vibrant and very positive. He is always looking to win".

In case you didn’t know

Karthik is making a return to the Indian ODI side for the series against New Zealand after having last played in the series against West Indies in June.

The heart of the matter

Talking about his inclusion in the ODI squad, the batsman expressed his happiness at the decision, and said he hoped to make the most of the opportunity.

A veteran with 73 ODIs and 10 T20 internationals under his belt, Karthik said that he would ideally prefer to bat at No 4, which is also the same number at which he bats for his domestic team Tamil Nadu.

On his interaction with the team's head coach, Karthik revealed that he has got the backing of Ravi Shastri, according to whom the wicketkeeper batsman has a long future ahead with the Indian team.

What’s next?

The ODI series against New Zealand begins at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on October 22, after which the two sides will lock horns in three T20Is, with the last one scheduled on November 7 at Thiruvananthapuram.

Author’s Take

India’s middle-order has performed well only in patches. While Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni have been performing but inconsistently, players like Manish Pandey and Dinesh Karthik have been inconsistent at No. 4 and that’s why has often found themselves sidelined. Now is the time for Karthik to prove himself if he is sent in at No. 4 and be the answer to India’s middle-order woes.