Dinesh Karthik

Profile

A talented youngster from Tamil Nadu, Dinesh Karthik was highly talked about by many from his junior days. After impressing the selectors, he was one of many wicketkeeper/batsmen that India tried out after Nayan Mongia and before settling on MS Dhoni. His ODI debut was against England in the Natwest challenge in September 2004. Dinesh shortly got his first Test cap against the mighty Australians in 2004 but was axed after just one fifty in ten Tests. Karthik may look like the shy boy next door but on the cricket field he has shown the ability to attack under pressure and improvise. He has displayed batting talent but his keeping has not been up to the mark which has often been the reason he has been out of the side. After Dhoni's entry, Karthik has always played second fiddle to the Jharkhand dasher, but in 2007, he stamped his authority in the Indian Test team with an impressive show in the opening slot. He scored his first Test ton in the second Test at Dhaka in 2007.2008-09 marked a reversal of fortunes for Karthik as he led the hunt as India's second-choice wicketkeeper, behind MS Dhoni. He scored three Ranji trophy centuries, captained Tamil Nadu to the semi-finals and two centuries in the Duleep Trophy. He made sure he stayed on the selectors' radar with an outstanding performance in the second season of the IPL, despite coming lower down the order in a team filled with stars. He scored 67 in his comeback ODI against West Indies, after a two-year hiatus. He is now selected to play for the Champions Trophy, which is proof enough of his genius and consistency. Being of the aggressive mould, he still has not managed to capitalize on a permanent berth in the Test squad.

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Career

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