Thanks for helping me achieve my dream: Dinesh Karthik shares heartfelt message for RCB after T20 WC call-up

Veteran wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik had turned up as a different beast altogether in the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). A job which most Indian batters struggle to do, Karthik excelled at, he thrived in situations where there were just few balls remaining and ended the tournament with the highest strike rate for a batter playing more than 100 deliveries in the season.

A role which the Indian T20 team needed someone to play and Karthik was the answer. The 37-year-old was drafted into the side immediately after the IPL from the South Africa series onwards and his comeback after three years into the national side culminated with a T20 World Cup call-up.

Karthik during the IPL had mentioned in a chat with teammate Virat Kohli after playing a breathtaking knock of 66* off 34 against Delhi Capitals that the ultimate goal was to play for India and he desperately wanted to win the World Cup for the Men in Blue.

"The bigger vision is that I want to play for the country. I know there is a World Cup around the corner. I want to be part of that World Cup desperately and help India cross that line. It's been a long time since India won a multi-nation tournament. I want to be that person who is helping India do that. For that, you need to be aware of so many things, try and be that player who people think 'hey this guy is doing something special," Karthik had said in April.

Now after the call-up, Karthik thanked the three-time IPL finalists for helping him achieve his dream while acknowledging the coaching staff of the franchise including Director of Cricket Mike Hesson, coach Sanjay Bangar, and Head of Scouting, Malolan Rangarajan while paying his gratitude towards loyal RCB fans.

"Thanks @RCBTweets for being an integral part of the journey and helping me achieve my dream. Most importantly to all the RCB fans who chant RCB,RCB even when am in my blues representing team INDIA , I LOVE YOU GUYS. THANKS @malolanr,@CoachHesson SANJAY BANGAR @basu2013 S SRIRAM," Karthik wrote.

Karthik will now hope to replicate his heroics for RCB and the Indian team in the last few months in the showpiece event as the Men in Blue look to end a drought of ICC titles.