Rahul Dravid has explained the reasoning behind Dinesh Karthik's inclusion in the Indian squad, stating that the veteran wicketkeeper-batter is expected to act as the team's finisher. His selection is a direct result of his impressive contributions to RCB in the latest IPL, allowing the experienced player to achieve his goal of returning to the national team after a hiatus of nearly three years.
During a pre-match press conference for the first T20I against South Africa, Dravid acknowledged Karthik's proven track record, noting his efficiency in the final stages of a match. He mentioned that the team is looking for Karthik to replicate his IPL success by scoring rapid runs during the slog overs.
Dravid highlighted that Karthik has maintained a high level of consistency in the closing overs for the past two to three years. He added that the right-handed batter's ability to be a game-changer for any side he represents is precisely why he was brought back into the fold.
The 37-year-old left a lasting impression with his aggressive batting during the death overs. Throughout IPL 2022, Karthik featured in 16 games, accumulating 330 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 183. Most of his 22 sixes were hit during the final overs of the innings, and Dravid is optimistic that he can deliver the same impact for the Indian national team.