‘The fire is still burning very brightly’ – Dinesh Karthik eyeing T20I comeback in finisher role

Dinesh Karthik in an interview said that he is still hopeful of making it to the Indian T20 side. He said he is not thinking about retirement any time soon, and that the fire to represent India is still burning in his belly.

The 36-year old last played for India in the 2019 World Cup. He has represented India in 36 Tests, 94 ODIs, and 32 T20Is, and continues to play for Tamil Nadu in the domestic circuit and also the Indian Premier League.

“I genuinely harbor the ambition of playing for the country again and I want to do everything possible, that is my ultimate goal. I train and practice, everything I do right now is working towards that goal. The next three years for me is about playing the sport and doing everything I can. I enjoy playing the sport. That is why I go and play Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Vijay Hazare for Tamil Nadu. The kind of success we have had as a state team has been phenomenal and me being a part of that journey is something I have thoroughly enjoyed,” he was quoted by India Today.

“My main aim is to play for the country again, especially the T20 format. T20 is something, the fire is still burning very brightly,” added the wicketkeeper-batter who has played 32 T20Is for India.”

Karthik was a part of the Tamil Nadu team that won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and reached the final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he also scored a century in the finals.

He was a part of the commentary team that traveled to England last year. Upon being asked his plans in that field, he said, “Obviously, I have enjoyed the commentary stint, but this is something I want to pursue in a serious fashion when I hang up my boots which I am planning to not do very soon.”