Dinesh Karthik’s comeback from obscurity has inspired many in and outside the team, according to Hardik Pandya. Karthik, 37, struck his maiden T20I fifty to help the hosts defeat, South Africa, by 82 runs in the fourth T20 International here on Friday.
Hardik recalls prior chats with the seasoned campaigner, who is having a dream run with the bat, during a chat with Karthik, whose footage has been released to the BCCI’s website.
During the session, Hardik said to Karthik, “I recall the conversation you were having when you weren’t in the scheme of things, a lot of people counted you out.”
When stand-in skipper Pant was removed for 17 in the 13th over, India was struggling at 81/4. It brought Karthik and Hardik together, and the two resurrected the Indian innings with a 65-run stand.
“I recall those discussions. “A lot of people are going to learn new things,” you said back then. “My aim is to play for India again, and my objective is to play this World Cup, and I am going to give it my all, and seeing you achieve that is extremely inspiring.” “Well done, my brother,” Hardik continued, “I’m really proud of you.”
In his entertaining 55-run performance, Karthik hammered nine fours and two sixes, while Hardik struck 46 off 31 balls to keep India’s innings afloat. On Sunday, the series decider will be contested at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium.