Rohit Sharma and World Cups are synonymous: Dinesh Karthik expects big things from India opener
India’s wicketkeeper Dinesh Kartik has backed Rohit Sharma to perform well at the World Cup once again, this time at the T20 World Cup in October-November in the UAE.
Karthik said India need a top-order batsman to fire if they are to do well in the global T20 showpiece, scheduled to get underway from October 17 in the UAE.
Dines Karthik pointed out that Rohit Sharma had a dream run at the 2019 World Cup and the Mumbai Indians captain loves the big stage. Rohit scripted a new record when he became the first batsman to hit 5 hundreds in a single World Cup campaign. The India opener was in imperious form at the 2019 World Cup, hitting hundreds against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, England, Bangladesh and South Africa.
When asked who he expects will set the batting charts on fire at the T20 World Cup, Dines Karthik, speaking to the ICC, said he expects a two-way race between Australia opener David Warner and Rohit.
“Both of them open the innings. Both of them are solid players. I would put money on either one of them. Both are very hungry,” Karthik said.
“Rohit Sharma and World Cups, they’re synonymous. They just love each other. They find ways to help each other out. If India are to do well he is somebody who needs to fire for them up top.
“David Warner hasn’t played cricket for Australia for some time now. A hungry David Warner is a scary David Warner. He will come all guns blazing. I’m expecting some big things from him,” he added.
India open their campaign in the Super 12 of the T20 World Cup against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 24. They have been grouped alongside New Zealand and Afghanistan and will be joined by two more teams from the qualifying stage.
Varuna Chakravarthy can do something special: Karthik
Meanwhile, Dines Karthik also said he is looking forward to seeing Varuna Chakravarthy in action at the T20 World Cup and said the mystery spinner can turn out to be India’s trump card. Chakravarthy recently made his debut for India in the series against Sri Lanka and made a mark, picking up 2 wickets in 3 matches.
“My choice is a guy called Varun Chakravarthy. I feel he’s got something really special in him. If India goes all the way, I can promise you this boy that I’m speaking about will have played a major role in them moving forward in this tournament. Remember the name ‘Varun Chakravarthy’,” Karthik added.
