India will give new nemesis Bangladesh a lot of respect: Karthik

Dinesh Karthik knows where he stands in the Indian cricket team. After having played 67 ODIs with a strike rate of 73.64 (he was not part of the tours to South Africa and New Zealand) he still considers himself an ‘outsider’.

"I got to know about my selection three-four days back. I guess I'm used to it now… being called so many times. It doesn't play on my mind too much," Karthik said after the team's practice at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Tuesday.

"For me it's about coming out here... It's important to get into the zone just before the game. Obviously as a player I'm very excited to be a part of this Indian cricket team. It's one of the best teams available. For me, it's an honour to represent India and do the best that I can," he added.

Pressed into service after a side strain injury to Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the 28-year-old said he was excited about the tournament.

When questioned about India’s recent disastrous run, Kathik said, "Actually, you should have asked this question to somebody who was a part of these eight ODIs.

"From an outsider point of view, I'm coming into this team fresh. As an individual I can talk of my perspective and say that for me it's going to be exciting. I'm sure it's the same for all the players. But somebody who has played those eight games will answer this question much better."

Considering himself as one of the few experienced players in the Indian side and who’s contributions would matter, Karthik said, "I've been around scene for some time. Given the opportunity, I will try and use whatever little experience I've had and bat to the best of my ability.

"Having said that, quite a few guys have played 100 games, which means that is a lot of experience now. They have been playing now for a year or two. They have been given a good run.

"Obviously everybody will pull in their experience, whatever little that we have, go out there and give it our best shot," he added.

The India stumper also added that India will not take Bangladesh lightly. 

Bangladesh have beaten India on a number of occasions in the past. Incidentally, it was in the last year's Asia Cup when Bangladesh chased down 290 for a win, a result that had cost India a berth in the final.

"Bangladesh are a fantastic One-day team. They had a couple of close games against Sri Lanka recently.

Everybody knows that they are a very good One-day unit. We will give them a lot of respect," Karthik said of Bangladesh, who won 3-0 in a series against New Zealand before going down to Sri Lanka by an identical margin.

Karthik also added that it would be foolish of India if they take Bangladesh for granted considering their two permier performers Shakib-al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal are out due to various reasons.

Tamim has been rested for the tournament due to neck strain while Shakib has been suspended for three games for making obscene gesture on camera.

Both teams will lock horns at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah, a town in Narayangonj in northern Dhaka.

It's a venue where Bangladesh have happy memories of chasing down New Zealand's 308 with four wickets in hand but Karthik said they're geared up to the challenge.

"Except Bangladesh I don't think many teams would have played there... That's part of international cricket that you don't get to play in all the venues. It's one of those occasions for us, going into a new venue and we're starting afresh. Having said that, we will go all guns blazing and do our best," Karthik signed off.