“Don’t look at his age, look at what he’s doing” – Sunil Gavaskar backs Dinesh Karthik for the T20 World Cup

The former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar has backed the veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik to make it to the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. Following a match-winning knock from Dinesh Karthik’s willow against the Proteas in the fourth T20I game, the legendary batter has strongly backed the right-hander to play the T20 World Cup.

On Friday, in the 4th T20I between India and South Africa, Karthik bailed his team out with a blistering knock. The right-handed batter came to bat when India were reeling at 81/4 in 12.5 overs. Dinesh Karthik smoked his maiden T20I fifty to score 55 runs off 27 deliveries to help the home side post 169/6 in 20 overs. In the end, the total proved a bit too much for the Proteas as they were bundled out for 87 runs to succumb to an 82-run defeat.

“If DK is not on that flight to Melbourne, it’ll be a big surprise” – Sunil Gavaskar

“As far as Dinesh Karthik is concerned, he came in at a time the bat had to be thrown at every delivery,” said Sunny G while analysing India’s batting performance at the innings break on Star Sports.

The 37-year-old Dinesh Karthik has forced his comeback to the national colours on the back of a successful IPL season for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, the legendary Indian opener has ridiculed any concerns about DK’s age and said the Tamil Nadu batter should be on Australia’s flight to play the T20 World Cup.

“Don’t look at his age, look at what he’s doing. If DK is not on that flight to Melbourne, it’ll be a big surprise,” said Sunil Gavaskar.

Thanks to his stellar performance with the bat, Dinesh Karthik was named ‘Man of the Match.’ The five-match series is now leveled 2-2 after four games and the final will be played on Sunday at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.