Dinesh Karthik is currently the darling of Indian cricket fans, and probably Sri Lankan as well, following his last-ball six to win the Nidahas T20I tri-series against Bangladesh.
The wicket-keeper batsman blasted 29 off just eight balls in one of the best T20 innings ever to rescue the match for India from the jaws of defeat. Some have even compared Karthik’s finishing prowess to that of MS Dhoni.
However, the Tamil Nadu batsman was quick to reject those comparisons, saying he has a long way to go.
“When it comes to Dhoni, I am studying in the university in which he is the topper,” he said. “So, it is unfair for me to be compared with him. I have started my journey. With time let’s see how I go. His journey has been totally different. I am happy with where I am,” Karthik said during an interaction upon his return to hometown Chennai on Tuesday.
While Dhoni remains India’s main wicket-keeper in the limited-overs format, Karthik says he has no problems playing purely as a batsman.
Probably one of the best nights of my life. Nothing comes close to crossing the finish line for… https://t.co/lmy5k4DrMi
— DK (@DineshKarthik) March 19, 2018
“I have always enjoyed playing as a batsman. I think fielding comes naturally to me and I enjoy doing it. Whenever I get a chance to field, I get excited. With keeping you are standing at one place and moving,” he stated at the press conference.
The 32-year-old has been on the international scene for 14 years now without cementing his place in the Indian team. Karthik feels long years of hard work have finally paid off.
“It is probably karma I guess. For all the good things I have done all through my years and cricketing career it probably helped me hit that six. If it had been a four, it would have been a Super Over and it would have been a different scenario. That two mm extra it went, was a great thing for me. Probably all the good things you do over the years come to fruition,” Karthik said.
