Dinesh Karthik is not looking back at omission from the Indian squad chosen for the World Cup T20 or being released by Mumbai Indians after being a member of a winning IPL unit. The wicket-keeper/batsman understands the situation which resulted in him being left out of the picture by national selectors and MI management.
The usual hyper-active self during India Cements training session at the BKC complex prior to the BCCI Corporate Trophy 2014, Karthik put forth his views on recent happenings. “It is wrong to compare the IPL with the current Indian T20 squad. Out of the top seven playing, six of them are retained.”
He was responding to a query pointing out the irony of selectors ignoring him for T20 highest competition at a time when IPL franchise Delhi Daredevils was ready to pay Rs 12.5 crores at an auction for his match-winning ability. MI had retained Ambati Rayudu, Kieren Pollard, captain Rohit Sharma among batsmen.
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Karthik, with a reputation for explosive strokeplay in crunch situations, reasoned: “It just goes to show that India has a strong batting unit and there are players bound to be missing out. I am one of them and wish the team good luck. It is all up to the selectors and what they think is good for Team India at the moment.”
MI released him prior to IPL 2014 auction, creating the opportunity for DD to mount a bid and regain his services. “If you are a championship winning team, seven to eight players have chances of being retained. Rules stipulate teams can only retain five and they took the decision. I am totally with them on that.”
Karthik adds: “If they (Mumbai Indians) had a choice, I am sure the eleven which played the IPL (2013) final would be retained. Otherwise why would they let go a player like Mitchell Johnson. All this is part of the IPL auction process. I am grateful to MI for the opportunity to showcase my potential. I will miss them. Delhi is a new opportunity and look forward to giving my best.”
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He brushes off pressure on him as an IPL performer due to Rs 12.5 crore valuation. “It does not matter whether the money on me is two crores, five, 12.5 or 20 crores. When you go out to bat, money spent to acquire me does not decide my performance. The process of batting is not about how much I earn, it is about what you can contribute on and off the field. I am expected to win matches.”
Delhi Daredevils captaincy also is not something he is obsessed about. “It is not about whether I am good enough (to lead) or whether Kevin Pietersen is good enough. It is about what (DD coach) Gary Kirsten and the coaching unit feel is best suited for the team. Let us leave the option to them. The decision they take will be good because of the experience they acquired as support staff.”