Sanjay Manjrekar doesn’t fancy Dinesh Karthik’s T20 World Cup chances

Dinesh Karthik has been in a rich vein of form for his new side Royal Challengers Bangalore. He has adapted to the role of finisher extremely well and the role clarity that he has received from the side has helped him to take on opposition bowlers for a ride in the final overs.

Having played eight matches so far, he has only been dismissed on two occasions. The gloveman has smashed 210 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 105. His strike rate of 200 has been the best part about his game this season as DK has finished off games in style and has become a bonafide match-winner for RCB.

Despite switching to a part-time commentary role, Dinesh Karthik continues to maintain that he wants to return to the Indian side. Therefore, calls of his probable selection for India’s T20 World Cup squad have been quite loud.

However, Sanjay Manjrekar reckons that the wicket-keeper batter’s performances in IPL 2022 will not be enough to warrant him a place in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup that is scheduled to be held in Australia in the months of October and November. With that being said, Manjrekar hopes to see him back in India colours if he can manage to keep up his current form.

“Only if he maintains his current form. I am going to be a little more pragmatic. We are just about halfway through this IPL. Let’s wait till the end of the league and see if the form is still intact. When you say we want DK in the team, you want a guy out,” Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.

Sanjay Manjrekar has stressed on the fact that India’s playing XI is full of superstars who look to be in great form. It will be difficult for DK to replace the likes of Rishabh Pant or Hardik Pandya in the middle-order.

“But when I’m looking at the incumbents, it’s tough to get into India’s Playing XI. Because he’s looking only at No. 5,6,7 spots. He’s not someone who can bat up the order… that’s not being considered I think. He will have to displace Rishabh Pant. We will have to start looking at Hardik Pandya vs Dinesh Karthik. It’s not going to be easy,” he added.