Dinesh Karthik’s return to Team India after 2019
From Dinesh KarthikHis T20I debut against Proteas in 2006, his recent return to the team against the same opponents, Dinesh Karthik’s dedication, will and talent to make a mark in the game has remained unrelenting. The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman has proved the adage ‘age is just a number’ true.
He played a commendable innings of 55 runs for Team India in the fourth match of the India vs South Africa T20I series. In the winning game for India in Rajkot, the team struggled to 81/4 in the 13th over when Karthik helped the revival with nine fours and two sixes. He scored his first T20 fifty. that too broke M S DhoniRecord for being the oldest player to score a half-century in T20.
Throwback to 2006
The 36-year-old made his T20I debut in 2006 when India toured South Africa and this was also India’s first international T20I match. Interestingly, he is the only player from the team who has not retired.
On their T20I debut, South Africa set India a target of 126 runs. Karthik came to bat at number five with India’s score 71/3 in the 12th over. Karthik and Dinesh Mongia shared a 37-run partnership. Later, with Kartik Suresh Raina Helped India win the match by 6 wickets. The Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batsman was adjudged the player of the match for his valuable contribution of 31 runs in 28 balls with the help of 3 fours and a six.
Karthik plays the finisher for the recently concluded Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL, Every cricket fan remembers his match winning innings in the Nidahas Trophy.
His return to Team India is an inspiration.
Taking the sweet spot, Karthik would like to continue the same form in Team India in the upcoming matches.