That Would Definitely Be Something People Will Remember Me By - Dinesh Karthik On Nidahas Trophy Final Heroics Against Bangladesh
Published - 20 Mar 2022, 02:58 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:06 AM
Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik recalled his breathtaking knock against Bangladesh in the 2018 Nidahas Trophy final in Colombo. Bangladesh had set India for a moderate target of 167 after Sabbir Rahman’s 50-ball 77 was the highlight of their innings.
India needed 34 runs from the last two overs and skipper Rohit Sharma had pushed Karthik below in the batting order. The Tamil Nadu player slammed 22 runs to Rubel Hossain in the penultimate over as the equation dropped to 12 runs required off the final six deliveries.
However, Soumya Sarkar brought a twist in the match after dismissing Vijay Shankar on the penultimate ball with India left to score five runs in the final ball. Karthik had crossed the crease during Shankar’s caught dismissal. The gloveman launched a flat six over extra cover to win India one of the thrilling matches in the shortest format.
It is a very important day in my life: Dinesh Karthik
Four years after that sensational knock, Karthik said it was an important day for him and people will remember that knock for ages to come. He also said that he was eagerly waiting for his opportunity to bat during the chase.
“So I was obviously waiting for my turn and it came pretty late in the game. Two overs and 34 runs – as a batter you are thinking ‘how many boundaries can I hit?’ That is exactly what I was thinking, got lucky with a few shots and as they say, the rest is history,” Karthik said in a video uploaded on RCB’s YouTube channel.
“It is a very important day in my life. Every sportsman for how many years they play they are always remembered for a few things. As a cricketer, that would definitely be something people will remember me by,” he added.
Dinesh Karthik explains his role at RCB in IPL 2022
Karthik was sold to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for a price of INR 5.50 crores in the IPL 2022 auction. The 36-year-old will have the role of filling RCB’s talismanic batter AB de Villiers’ shoes in their batting line-up as the latter announced retirement from all formats of the game in November 2021.
The former KKR skipper said his role will be to either finish the games or set a big target for his team in the middle-order.
“That is the aim, like for everyone else in the middle-order, to try and hit as many boundaries as you can. It is a challenge but a very interesting one for everybody,” he said.
“For the last two years, I have been trying to do that role as well. Here as well, the role is clear – try and achieve whatever we can at the backend of the innings. Do whatever is required for the team, either setting the target or winning the game. So that is what I will be focusing on,” he added.
RCB will play their first match against Mayank Agarwal-led Punjab Kings on March 27 at the Dr.DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
Also Read: IPL 2022: I’ve Seen That Virat Kohli Is Tactically Very Astute – Dinesh Karthik
