In a bold decision, the Indian team management opted for Dinesh Karthik over the explosive Rishabh Pant. The veteran has hit a purple patch in 2022, establishing himself as an expert finisher in T20 cricket. In the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore and against South Africa for India, he has scored quick runs at the death. With the World Cup underway in October, a solid showing at the Asia Cup, starting with today’s clash against Pakistan, will help book a ticket to Australia. 

Also Read: Asia Cup 2022: Why India chose Dinesh Karthik over Rishabh Pant vs Pakistan

Who is Dinesh Kartik?

Professional cricketer Dinesh Karthik represents India at the international level  and the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. In domestic cricket, he currently serves as captain of the Tamil Nadu cricket team. Before Mahendra Singh Dhoni arrived, Dinesh Karthik was one of the numerous wicketkeepers who was tested during the Sourav Ganguly era. Nevertheless, despite being in and out of the Indian team and having few opportunities, he has excelled both with the bat and behind the stumps.

Following a streak of hundreds for the Tamil Nadu Under-19 team in the 2002–03 season, Karthik began to make the selectors’ shortlist. When Karthik made his ODI debut for India as a 19-year-old in late 2004, he immediately attracted the public’s attention. In Mumbai, India, late in 2004, he was given his Test debut against Australia on a tough wicket. However, a string of poor performances opened room for other keeper-batter.

Karthik returned to the team as a pure batsman after Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s ascent, however, he was unable to unseat Dhoni for the wicketkeeping job. The pinnacle of his career occurred when Karthik was the opener on the 2007 England tour. He finished the Test series as India’s leading run-getter, surpassing notable players like Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, and Sachin Tendulkar, and significantly contributing to India’s elusive away series victory. 

Karthik vanished from the ODI scene after Dhoni arrived, and despite being there for three World Cups (2007, 2011, and 2015), he has never been selected for an ODI World Cup team. However, in the Indian T20 set-up, he has seen highs and lows. His high in T20s came when he single-handedly took India to the Nidahas Trophy win in Sri Lanka. Since then he has more or less been a part of the Indian T20 setup.

Also Read: Watch: Babar Azam dismissed off Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s short ball; India strike early vs Pakistan

IPL Performance

Dinesh Kartik, unlike many other Indian cricketers, has been a nomad in the IPL, even though franchises have paid big bucks for the keeper-batter. He has played for Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils) (2008–2010, 2014), Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) (2011), Mumbai Indians (2012-2013), Gujarat Lions (2016-2017) and Kolkata Knight Riders (2018-2021). He also spent a season with RCB in 2015 but was dropped for the next season. In the 2022 IPL, he again played for Bangalore as a finisher.

Dinesh’s watershed year was 2013 when he scored 510 runs in 19 innings during Mumbai’s successful campaign. He also had a good 2022 season as a finisher for the RCB, playing a crucial role in their campaign.