Last Update on: June 2nd, 2018 at 03:21 pm
Waiting in the wings, as the Sun has finally shone brightly upon Dinesh Karthik, who on Saturday (June 2), has replaced injured wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha for the historic Test match against Afghanistan.
Saha had suffered an injury to his right thumb while playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
The 33-year-old Saha had suffered a blow to his right thumb in the second qualifier against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 25 at Eden Gardens.
Hence, Saha was also ruled out of the grand finale of the professional domestic league.
This would be a golden opportunity for Dinesh Karthik:
Consequently, the Indian selectors have given a well-deserved opportunity to Karthik. The wicketkeeper-batsman is in prime form with the bat. Karthik also provided finishing touches to the Knight Riders while leading them in IPL 2018.
Saha was under the observation of the BCCI medical team after his injury.
However, the right-hander Saha hasn’t yet recovered from his injury. Thus, the All India Senior Selection Committee has taken an all-important decision to give him more time to recuperate.
India will play against England in their upcoming tour and thus it is pivotal that Saha regains his full fitness before the imperative tour. Saha is expected to regain his fitness in five to six weeks.
However, it would be a great chance for Karthik to deliver big following the grand opportunity. Karthik is in good form and he would like to make the most of it.
The Tamil Nadu-based batsman had a fine IPL season for the Knight Riders.
Karthik also rescued India from troubled waters in the final of the Nidhahas Trophy against Bangladesh earlier this year.
Thus, the flamboyant right-hander will like to leave his mark in the longest format of the game.
India will square off against Asghar Stanikzai-led Afghanistan in the impending Test fixture.
