The IPL 2022 gave Dinesh Karthik a new lease on life, as he gained a call back into the Indian squad after a good season for RCB. However, while Karthik has been recognised for his outstanding performance in the IPL, the same cannot be said for other seasoned Indian cricketers.
Dinesh Karthik, who won a call back into the Indian side after a great season with Royal Challengers Bangalore, has a new lease on life thanks to the IPL 2022.
Karthik was picked for the T20I series between India and South Africa, and he continued his excellent form with easy knocks of 30 not out and 55 in Cuttack and Rajkot, earning him a berth in the Playing XI at No. 6.
Karthik and his form are now one of the most hotly debated topics in Indian cricket, with various former players questioning whether he merits a spot in India’s T20 World Cup roster.
However, while Karthik has been recognised for his outstanding performance in the IPL, the same cannot be said for other seasoned Indian cricketers!
Wriddhiman Saha, whose departure from India’s Test squad has been much discussed, had a successful IPL season, opening the innings for debutants Gujarat Titans.
Saha struck three half-centuries on his way to 317 runs from 11 matches, but it wasn’t enough to protect the veteran India wicketkeeper from being called up. Saha looked unsure about his chances of making an international comeback.
“I don’t think I will be selected going further because already the coach and the chief selector had informed me. And if they had to pick me, after my IPL performance, I would have been included in the squad for England tour.
“So that decision has been made clear to me that right now, there aren’t too many options. But for me, I am focussed towards playing cricket. As long as I love the sport, I will play,” Saha told Sports Tak.
The IPL 2022 season was Saha’s second-most successful IPL season, following his 362 runs for Punjab Kings in 2014. Saha didn’t want to select a favourite between the two years, but he loved both 2014 and 2022.
“Overall, I would say yes. I contributed and we became champions. Before this, in 2014 I had scored a hundred in the final for Kings XI (Punjab Kings). Ranking wise, you can say this was one of the best IPLs I have been part of. But Run-wise, I scored more in 2014 and had played more matches as well,” Saha pointed out.
