Chennai: Dinesh Karthik made his international debut much before Dhoni arrived. But after Dhoni, the Tamilnadu wicket keeper was in and out of the squad struggling to find a place for him in the squad. But things took a positive turn this year.
Dinesh Karthik’s last-ball, six off Soumya Sarkar in Nidhahas trophy T20 tri-series final in Colombo to win the game for India against Bangladesh in March 2018, announced that he is back with a bang.
This time he was more composed, matured and eager to take responsibilities. Version 2.0 indeed.
Dinesh Karthik looked like he was always ready to deliver whatever the situation may be and his experience and repertoire of strokes make him a suitable candidate to provide the final flourish for India at the death overs.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli once again showed his pedigree to revive India and help the team level the T 20 series 1-1 against Australia yesterday.
Coming back to his usual No 3 spot, Kohli scored a remarkable and unbeaten 61 as India chased down the target of 165 runs with two balls remaining. But the batsman that went unnoticed by many in India’s thrilling victory was Dinesh Karthik, who had maintained composure even under pressure situation and stayed alongside Kohli till the end.
In fact, statistics reveal that Karthik is slowly becoming a finisher for India in the shortest format of the game.
Apart from this, Karthik has been simply invincible in Asia as no bowler has been able to dismiss him in the nine innings.
Says Thahir, a die-hard Dinesh Karthik fan, “Karthik has excelled at the number six position and acts as the perfect foil to the explosive Indian top-order by playing the role of a shield whenever needed.” “He is the most clinical finishers in the shortest format,” says Umesh, who runs a coaching academy in Madipakkam.
Ask Dinesh Karthik, he says, “Thats my role here, when theres pressure, absorb the pressure, try and help the team win. As a senior player, thats my role in the team. At the same time, play confident cricket. It was important that the good bowlers were seen through.”
IN NUMBERS (Dinesh Karthik in T20I run chases):
When he remains unbeaten, nine wins in nine games – 31(28)*, 4(1)*, 18(12)*, 2(2)*, 39(25)*, 29(8)*, 0 (0)*, 31(34)*, 22(18)*. When he gets dismissed, three loses in three game.