There is always a high demand for Indian wicketkeeper-batters during the IPL auctions. This year, Dinesh Karthik is available once again following a four-year stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders. Having been released by KKR, his base price for the auction is set at Rs. 2 crore. Currently, the veteran is focusing on his T20 finishing capabilities, training intensively in Mumbai with his mentor, Abhishek Nayar.
Indian wicketkeeper-batters have been in demand in all IPL auctions. Dinesh Karthik is back in the auction after a long four-year association with Kolkata Knight Riders. Dinesh Karthik, who was not retained by KKR, will be up for grabs for Rs.2 crore base price. The veteran batter is currently training hard in Mumbai under the guidance of his mentor Abhishek Nayar. He is focused on sharpening his finishing skills in the T20 format.
The former KKR captain acknowledged that players have little control over which team they join for the 2022 season. However, he mentioned that playing for the four-time title winners, Chennai Super Kings, would be an ideal scenario. Even after 14 years in the IPL and playing for six different teams, the 36-year-old veteran has yet to play for the CSK side led by MS Dhoni.
Karthik's interest in CSK is naturally linked to his long history of playing domestic matches for Tamil Nadu. Furthermore, he remains dedicated to his international career, aiming to compete for the national team for another three to four years as he fights for a comeback in the T20 format.
The wicket-keeper maintains a powerful drive to represent India on the world stage. He views the IPL as the perfect platform to test his skills against global elite players; a strong performance there could be his ticket back into the national setup. This comes at a time when India is still searching for the right combination for their limited-overs middle order.