Dinesh Karthik is in Good Mindset to Capitalise on the Opportunity

Wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik made his Test debut fourteen years ago against Australia in Mumbai, much before Mahendra Singh Dhoni came to the scene. However, it has been eight years since his last Test came in Chittagong against Bangladesh in 2010.

Karthik, meanwhile, had a halt in his Test career with Dhoni’s rise and Wriddhiman Saha’s emergence in between. Karthik’s consistency, however, in domestic cricket kept him in the fray.

Tamil Nadu-based cricketer’s recent stint with India in the Nidahas Trophy and Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) escalated his case.

On Saturday, the 33-year-old Karthik replaced Saha for the impending Test match against Afghanistan in Bengaluru starting on June 14.

Although he filled as a substitute keeper in the final session of the third Test in Johannesburg, the Afghanistan fixture will mark his official mark in the Test cricket after achieving the status in June last year.

Preparing in different conditions:

Karthik’s coach, Apurv Desai, however, isn’t surprised with the call-up. He admitted Karthik has put in a lot of efforts in the domestic circuit. Desai also lauded his adaptability

“He has been putting in a lot of effort in all formats in the domestic circuit. Every year, he prepares with the red and white ball diligently. He is somebody who can adapt and has been doing it consistently for sometime. I don’t see it as a challenge but the good form and the positive frame of mind should help him,” Desai said.

Apurv also added the moving out of Chennai and training in Bengaluru and Mumbai has helped his cause.

A good mindset:

When things were not right, Mumbai veteran Ajinkya Rahane turned mentor to him. He designed a rigorous routine for Karthik that gifted him a third eye.

Karthik kept working on his fitness and discovered a supernatural strength to maneuver the ball through gaps using the crease a lot more.

“He has done well in Ranji Trophy but now, his preparations will change as he switches from T20 to Test cricket. It will be interesting and it is something that he relishes. It’s a dream to play Test cricket and to get that opportunity after eight years is great. He will be up and kicking for it,” said Nayar.

In conclusion, Nayar admitted that his mental strength will guide him to overcome all the obstacles.

In 23 Tests, Dinesh Karthik has scored 1,000 runs — one hundred and seven half-centuries — at an average of 27.77. He also has 51 catches and five stumpings to his credit.

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