The 2020 IPL was supposed to provide a conclusion, as to who will be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper for the T20 WC later in the year. After a few match-winning performances with the bat in the series against New Zealand, KL Rahul had briefly taken over that role. When an out-of-form Rishabh Pant injured himself, the opportunity came to him.

Performances in the IPL may, however, have tilted scales elsewhere too. Lately, Sanju Samson too has warmed the benches on the national side and MS Dhoni hasn’t put curtains down on his career. And rounding off the long list of probabilities is Dinesh Karthik.

The Tamil Nadu’s wicketkeeper-batsman is not being considered on the national side following under-performance in the 2019 World Cup-where he scored 14 runs in two innings. Although Karthik acknowledges that he hasn’t done anything to be considered for the 50-over setup, but being out of the T20 side too isn’t comfortable.

“It hurts, no doubt about it. I always had this intense desire to play for my country and it didn’t fade a bit,” Karthik told PTI. He has not ruled out the prospect of a return.

“My record in the T20s is good. A major event like the World Cup didn’t go exactly as it was expected. I could understand the one-day bit (being removed from ODIs) but even now I’d like to think I might get a decent chance of returning to the T20 side. I have done well even in the recent domestic games that I have played. I have no reason to doubt myself (that I will not be able to make another comeback).”

“That’s how the sport has always been for me. Full of ups and downs. It has taught me a lot of things. It’s not anything new to me (being out of the team) and I’m comfortable in the space I’m in.”

“There’s a T20 WC around the corner and I know if I’m doing well I have a decent chance of making to the team. I know it gets harder every time. The team gets stronger all the time and it’s fun to watch. But it’s my job to get better as a player and the rest will take care of itself.”

The forthcoming IPL would have been the perfect place for him to get himself into a stronger position and step up the pecking order of choice. Karthik is now living on hope with the tournament unlikely to start anytime soon.

“With all that’s been going on, I can’t think too much about the IPL. I’ve reached a point where I’ve acknowledged that it won’t happen right now. Before the lockdown, I’ve been practicing really hard for the IPL, just like any other tournament. There’s always a lot of hope (to play for India again), it’s still there. In fact, the entire world is living on hope right now.”