'Want to be a part of the World Cup desperately' – Karthik sets sights on India comeback

Karthik has emerged as a brilliant finisher for the Bengaluru-based IPL side, playing some impactful knocks at the back end of the innings. In six matches so far, Karthik has aggregated 197 runs at an average of 197.00 and a strike rate of 209.57 with one half-century.

On Saturday, 16 April, he was again in devastating form, scoring 66* in only 34 deliveries, helping RCB post a score of 189/5 against the Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. RCB eventually ended up winning the contest by 16 runs.

After his stunning performances, Karthik has now stated his intentions to make a comeback to the Indian squad, citing it as a long-term vision.

Speaking to Virat Kohli after the match on iplt20.com, Karthik said, "There is a small term goal and there is a bigger vision as well.

"The small term goal is obviously to do very well for RCB. The bigger vision was to play for the country."

Karthik signalled his intention to be a part of the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia and win matches for the country. "I know there is a World Cup around the corner. I want to be part of that World Cup desperately and help India cross the line," he added.

"It's been a long time since India won a multi-nation tournament. I want to be that person who is helping India do that.

"For that, you need to prepare differently, you need to be aware of so many things and try and be that player where people stand up and notice you and say, 'hey this guy is doing something special and I wanted to be that guy.'"

Former skipper Virat Kohli was also left impressed by Karthik's performances, claiming that he had made a strong case for making a comeback. "He has been amazing. With those scores, DK has definitely made a strong claim to play all forms of cricket," Kohli said while speaking to the commentators during the strategic timeout.

RCB skipper Faf du Plessis was also full of praise for Karthik after the match, saying, "The way DK is playing at the moment, I may sound like a broken record, but he is playing the best he has ever. He is so clear, calm and composed."

The former South African skipper had earlier drawn comparisons between Karthik and MS Dhoni after Karthik had guided RCB to a victory against Kolkata Knight Riders earlier in the IPL season.

"DK’s experience helped in the end, cool-calm, runs weren’t never really too far away. He’s probably as cool as MS Dhoni can get in the last five overs," du Plessis had stated in the post-match press conference.

The 36-year old Karthik has played 152 international matches for India, aggregating 3176 runs with one century and sixteen fifties. Karthik last played an international match for India at the 2019 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in the semi-final against New Zealand.