Dinesh Karthik, a seasoned wicketkeeper-batter, is optimistic about the readiness of the Indian cricket team for the upcoming Men’s ODI World Cup. He believes that the team has found answers to 90% of the questions it had about its line-up, thanks to strong showings in the Asia Cup and a recent ODI series triumph against Australia.
India is set to play England in their first warm-up match at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on September 30. Subsequently, they will face the Netherlands in their second warm-up encounter at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on October 3, before opening their World Cup campaign against Australia on October 8.
Reflecting on the team’s recent performances, Karthik said, “In all these matches, all the boxes were ticked, which means the Indian team will go into the World Cup full of confidence. It’s a very good thing as walking into a multi-nation tournament, you do require confidence and belief amongst each other, of making the team win from any tough situation.”
Advertisement
Karthik emphasized that the current Indian team believes that anyone can step up as a match-winner on any given day. He cited the strong performances of players like Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, who have consistently made significant contributions. This level of performance and confidence, according to Karthik, positions India well for a successful World Cup campaign.
Advertisement
When asked about potential threats in the tournament, Karthik highlighted defending champions England and Pakistan as teams to watch out for. He commended England’s powerful and positive brand of cricket, stating, “It’s in their DNA now to play positive cricket, and now they possess a blockbuster batting lineup. Plus, their batting lineup is very deep, with strength extending to the lower order, a depth that isn’t present in many teams.”
Regarding Pakistan, Karthik noted their formidable fast-bowling unit and the emotional significance of a match against them. He anticipates a high-pressure game when India faces Pakistan and believes it will be interesting to see how that match unfolds.
Karthik also expressed his belief in middle-order batter Sanju Samson, stating that Samson is close to earning a spot in the Indian team. While Samson narrowly missed selection for the World Cup due to squad restrictions, Karthik has high expectations for him in international cricket. He emphasized the importance of backing and providing positive energy to Samson, expressing confidence that he will achieve remarkable feats in international cricket.
-IANS
Advertisement
