IPL 2022 | 'What's great to see is the hunger' - Shastri on Karthik's IPL turnaround

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batter Dinesh Karthik, who not long ago was out of India's T20I contention, now is in the line to make a comeback in the national side. Karthik has led a turnaround in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, delivering massively for RCB on a consistent basis.

While the veteran had disastrous last two seasons in the KKR jersey, he found a new home in the form of RCB and had never looked back since joining the Bangalore-based franchise. Karthik has already produced quite a few emphatic finishes in the ongoing IPL season and has accumulated 210 runs in seven matches.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has joined the chorus of Karthik's applauders and sang the praises of the wicket-keeper. Shastri opined that the clarity that the RCB management has provided to Karthik has brought a positive change in the 36-year-old's game.

"I think clarity of thought. His mind is very clear on exactly what he wants to do. The positions he is getting in are brilliant. If you see the way he is batting, he is literally picking his spot the way before the bowlers deliver. He is moving early, he is anticipating what the bowler is going to do. What he is doing extremely well this year is his anticipation is dead right on most occasions and that makes a huge difference. He is outsmarting the bowler. The thought process is very positive, that's making a massive difference," Shastri said as quoted to Star Sports.

Further, the World Cup winner mentioned that the insatiable hunger in Karthik has brought the best out of him.

"He had all the experience in the world, he has been around for a long time, he is fit. What's great to see is the hunger, the hunger is still there. He is playing for a new franchise now, the responsibility has been given to him by the support staff. He mentioned what Sanjay told him initially. So he knows his job.

"With his experience, his power. At this age, he picks up length better than most players younger than him. It's not easy. He is having a ball, a real ball at the moment," the commentator stated.

As of now, RCB are the hot favourites to win the tournament. However, for that to happen, Karthik must continue to fire.