Both are keen to justify the faith reposed on them by the selectors by putting up a good show in the mega event.
MARGAO: Young guns Robin Uthappa and Dinesh Kaartick, who have been selected in India's World Cup squad, are keen to justify the faith reposed on them by the selectors by putting up a good show in the mega event.
"I am happy to be selected. I will try my best to make this opportunity count," said Uthappa who has edged out Delhi challenger Gautam Gambhir for the opener's spot and is likely to launch the innings with former India skipper Sourav Ganguly in the World Cup to be held in March-April.
The 21-year-old Kaarthick echoed similar sentiments.
"I am confident of making an impression in the World Cup if I get a chance," said the wicket-keeper batsman whose energy inside the ring as well as on the outfield has impressed the Indian team management.
Interestingly, Uthappa too can keep wickets like Kaarthick who is the second-choice stumper in the squad behind Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Both have fought back from early setbacks to their careers.
Kaarthick, who has played in 11 ODIs and scored 145 runs with 63 against the West Indies in the previous series on a difficult track that paved the way for an Indian win, is the senior among the two players as far as international debut is concerned.
After making a lukewarm debut in the Natwest Challenge in England in 2004, the bubbly Kaarthick lost his place to his more flamboyant rival and superb finisher Dhoni in the ODIs first and then in the Tests too.
The fact that now both are in the squad and are also making the playing elevens regularly speaks volumes about the impression created by Kaartick who has edged out another talented youngster, UP's Suresh Raina who is also a fine fielder.
On that last visit to the South Africa, Kartik's 31 not out steered India to their first win over the hosts in the lone Twenty20 tie, sandwiched between the penultimate and last 50-over ODIs.
Later he made another strong claim for a regular berth with a gritty 63 in the third Test at Cape Town when sent to open the innings in place of an out-of-form Virender Sehwag in the first innings and also got involved in a century stand with opener Wasim Jaffer.
In the second innings he remained unbeaten with another fighting knock of 38 to enhance his claims.
Uthappa's career started in the home series against England at Indore when he made a fine 86 and was picked for the Abu Dhabi series against Pakistan that came immediately afterwards.
Losing his spot in the ODI squad which was grabbed by Jaffer, in a surprise move by the selectors, he grabbed his chance with a pulverizing innings of 70 in the third ODI against the West Indies, striking the ball cleanly.
The Karnataka youngster has played in 7 ODIs in his fledgling career so far and aggregated 203 runs at an average of 33.8.
The World Cup is a huge stage to make a big impression and both these cricketers know that consistent good displays in the tournament would go a long way towards cementing their place in the squad post-the mega event.
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