India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik is aiming to make a comeback in the national side, preferably in the T20Is. Karthik last represented India in the 2019 ODI World Cup and since then has spent his time playing in the IPL and representing Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket.
With the team management looking towards the future, Karthik’s chances of making a comeback at the highest level appear bleak. However, the 36-year-old cricketer is still hopeful about donning the blue jersey again in his career.
"I genuinely harbour 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," Karthik told ANI.
Looking to play the role of the finisher, Karthik asserted that he will aim to fit himself into India's T20I squad.
"My main aim is to play for the country again, especially the T20 format. T20 is something, the fire is still burning very brightly. Even in the last T20 World Cup, one of the main areas is a finisher and that is a role I am looking at very keenly. Over the period of time, the stats and performances show that I have done a decent job in the limited time I have spent in Indian colours and the franchises I have played for," he added.
Karthik also had a brief commentary stint during India's tour of England last year, his on-point analysis was appreciated by the fans. The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer shared that he sees commentary as a full-time job post his retirement as a player.
"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. I think for me, playing the sport is of utmost importance and I want to do that for a bare minimum of three years," Karthik concluded.