Hardik hails Karthik as an ‘inspiration’

Rajkot: India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has expressed his admiration for Dinesh Karthik, saying his resurrection from obscurity is an inspiration for many in and outside the team. The veteran wicketkeeper smashed his maiden T20I fifty to help the hosts secure an 82-run victory over South Africa in the fourth T20 International here on Friday.
During a chat with Karthik, the video of which has been uploaded by the BCCI on its website, Hardik recalled his past conversations with the seasoned campaigner, who is going through a dream run with the bat. “I need to tell you this, genuinely I want to tell you this, you have given a lot of inspiration to many guys in their life.
“I remember the conversation you were having when you were not in the scheme of things, a lot of people counted you out,” Hardik told Karthik during the chat.
India were struggling at 81/4 in the 13th over when stand-in skipper Pant was dismissed for 17. It brought Karthik and Hardik together and the pair revived the Indian innings with a brisk partnership of 65 runs.
“I remember those conversations. You told me then that my goal is to play for India again and the goal is to play this World Cup, I am going to give it my everything, and seeing you achieve that is very inspirational. A lot of people are going to learn new things. Well done my brother, very proud of you,” Hardik added.
Karthik smashed nine fours and two sixes in his entertaining 55-run knock, Hardik made 46 off 31 balls to prop up the India innings.
Avesh gives credit to Dravid:
India pacer Avesh Khan felt the pressure after going wicket-less in the first three games but said head coach Rahul Dravid’s faith in him pushed him to come up with a match-winning performance in the fourth T20I. Avesh relied on the hard lengths to end up with career-best figures of four for 18 in his young international career.
“The team hasn’t changed over four games, so credit to Rahul (Dravid) sir. He gives chances to everybody and intends to give them a long enough run,” Avesh said at the media interaction on Friday night.
“He doesn’t drop a player after one or two bad performances because you cannot judge a player on the basis of one or two games. Everyone is getting enough matches to prove themselves. Yes, there was pressure on me. I had zero wickets in three games but Rahul sir and the team management gave me another opportunity today and I ended up picking four wickets. It’s also my papa’s birthday, so it’s a gift for him too,” he said. PTI