By: Sandipan Bose
Throughout the last domestic season, India’s Dinesh Karthik was amongst runs. He scored for his state team Tamil Nadu in all formats of the game and was even instrumental in securing a win at the domestic ODI tournament final.
His performances were so powerful that the selectors simply couldn’t ignore him after Manish Pandey pulled out of the team for the Champions Trophy. And from the time Karthik landed in England, he looked very impressive.
Besides, generating power while hitting his the ball, he looked in complete control of things. Unfortunately, he missed out on a big one in the first warm-up game against the New Zealand at the Oval.
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Not that he wasn’t in his elements. He was unlucky to have missed out. At least, he summed it up like that. But the next game against Bangladesh, it was Karthik all the way. The dashing wicketkeeper batsman made a fine 94 before being asked to retire. Everyone was mighty impressed and so was Karthik.
“In the last game I was a little nervous going in. Even though Virat (Kohli) tried his best to calm my nerves, it was a little difficult. I was back in the Blues after a long time, so I guess I was very overexcited probably,” Karthik had said after India’s win over Bangladesh by 240 runs.
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But his performance has also opened up debate whether he would be ultimately considered for the Pakistan match on June 4. Looking at the team combination, it’s a tough call for the team management to accommodate Karthik in the playing XI. But it is surely a happy problem that a replacement batsman is in such good form.
If anyone goes out of form at the top of the order, Karthik could also be used as a middle-order replacement. Or else, he could be used an opener as well. But his form is certainly a good news for bowling heavy Indian team!
