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Watch: Hardik Pandya hails Dinesh Karthik after Rajkot heroics, calls him an inspiration

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.

"Mahi Bhai Taught Me One Thing...": Hardik Pandya Reveals MS Dhoni's "Lesson" That Changed Him As A Cricketer

India's victory margin of 82 runs against South Africa in the fourth T20I in Rajkot on Friday might give the impression that it was a walk in the park for the Rishabh Pant-led hosts, but it was not so. India initially struggled with the bat, until Dinesh Karthik (55, 27b) and Hardik Pandya (46, 31b) held their own to take the team to 169/6 in 20 overs. The latter came at the crease in the seventh over with India three-down, and then played with responsibility before going bonkers in the final five overs. For Pandya, the performance was a continuation of the fine form that he is in since the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, where he led Gujarat Titans to the title.

Search for Perfect Climax: Pacers and middle-order make India favourites in series decider

In a space of eight days, this Indian team has played four games. It fielded an identical XI, which is in sync with Rahul Dravid's "school of continuity", seen the nadir in the first two games, only to break its own record of highest margin of victories over the Proteas -- by 47 runs in the third game and by 82 runs in the fourth. With Dinesh Karthik doing exactly what is expected of him and Harshal Patel and Avesh Khan also hitting the straps, the Indian fans would want to see Yuzvendra Chahal perform a trick or two at his IPL home ground in a match that matters the most. Therefore, when the teams step out on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium turf, the side that looked jaded and overcooked in the first two games will start as overwhelming favourites as the South Africans have already lost the plot.

"Very Bullheaded": Dinesh Karthik Determined To "Play This World Cup"

Dinesh Karthik was India's hero with the bat on Friday as his knock of 55 runs off 27 balls helped India post a winning total of 169 for six against South Africa in the fourth T20I in Rajkot. India were in a spot of bother at 81 for four in 12.5 overs when Karthik walked out to bat. But the veteran wicketkeeper batter along with Hardik Pandya swung the balance in India's favour with a 65-run partnership off just 33 balls for the fifth wicket. The total proved to be more than sufficient as the South Africans were bundled out for 87. The win helped India draw level at 2-2 in the five-match T20I series.

"Given A Lot Of Inspiration To Many Guys": Hardik Pandya To Dinesh Karthik

The 37-year-old Dinesh Karthik continues to have a year to remember as he played a crucial 55-run knock against South Africa in the fourth T20I in Rajkot to set up the win for Team India, helping the hosts level the five-match series at 2-2. Walking out to bat in the 13th over, Karthik saw out the initial few balls and then started to tee off, helping India post 169/6 in 20 overs.

"He Did Not Expect I Could...": Rishabh Pant On Taking On Nathan Lyon In Brisbane Test

No cricket fan can forget the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy as the series saw an injury-hit Team India punching above their weight to stun hosts Australia. Going into the series decider at Gabba, the proceedings were level at 1-1 and there was everything to play for at the Gabba, which was seen as a fortress for the Aussies. However, Rishabh Pant produced a quality fourth-innings knock to help India chase down 328 with three wickets in hand on the final day of the Test. As a result of this knock, India won the series 2-1 against all odds.

"If He's Not On That Flight...": Sunil Gavaskar Wants India Star In T20 World Cup Squad

After Dinesh Karthik's game-changing knock against South Africa in the 4th T20 International in Rajkot, legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar made a strong statement about his chances of playing in the T20 World Cup. Coming in to bat with the score at 81/4 in 12.5 overs, Karthik blitzed 55 off 27 deliveries to help India post a total of 169/6, which eventually proved too much for South Africa to chase, as they slumped to an 82-run defeat. It was Karthik's maiden T20I half-century.

Chetan Sharma to accompany Team India on Ireland tour

VVS Laxman as the head coach, India will play two T20Is against the hosts on June 26 and June 28 in Dublin. Sharma’s co- selector, former India left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi has been with the Indian team during the ongoing five-match T20Is series against South Africa at home. Jaffer, Parkar amongst six Mumbai players in India U-23 camp Even as their senior team looks well-poised to enter the Ranji Trophy finals after a six-year gap, more good news is pouring in for Mumbai cricket.

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Watch: Hardik Pandya hails Dinesh Karthik after Rajkot heroics, calls him an inspiration

"Mahi Bhai Taught Me One Thing...": Hardik Pandya Reveals MS Dhoni's "Lesson" That Changed Him As A Cricketer

Search for Perfect Climax: Pacers and middle-order make India favourites in series decider

"Very Bullheaded": Dinesh Karthik Determined To "Play This World Cup"

"Given A Lot Of Inspiration To Many Guys": Hardik Pandya To Dinesh Karthik

"He Did Not Expect I Could...": Rishabh Pant On Taking On Nathan Lyon In Brisbane Test

"If He's Not On That Flight...": Sunil Gavaskar Wants India Star In T20 World Cup Squad

Chetan Sharma to accompany Team India on Ireland tour