Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar lauded Dinesh Karthik for staying strong and making an incredible comeback in his career despite turmoil in his personal life. The 36-year-old Karthik, recently, stormed back into the Indian team for the T20I series against South Africa after he performed exceptionally for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2022.
Karthik has lent solidity to RCB’s batting lineup by playing some match-winning knocks. In 15 matches, the veteran has notched 324 runs at an average of 64.80 and a strike rate of 187.28 with a top score of an unbeaten 66 against the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
“I usually avoid speaking about people’s personal lives. What I want to say here is that he had suffered some setbacks in his personal life, but he came back really well after that. I have followed his personal life and read quite a bit about it. And I really like how he has come back. I would say well done to him. This is what attitude is all about,” Akhtar was quoted as saying.
“It’s a big thing. Dinesh Karthik is a player from my era. He’s really fit and mentally strong. Good things happen to good people. Great to see the way he has made a comeback to the Indian team. My best wishes are with him,” he added.
Karthik is now set to play for RCB in Qualifier 2 of the 2022 IPL against Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Friday, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Karthik will also be making a comeback for Team India after last playing three years ago in the 2019 World Cup semi-final.
