Dinesh Karthik to Play for Karaikudi Kaalai in TNPL, Sundar Bought by Tuti Patriots

Karaikudi Kaalai has bought team India batsman, Dinesh Karthik for the upcoming season of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL).

Karthik was the first pick of the day for the season. Karthik was the captain of the Tuti Patriots and led his franchise to the final of the tournament.

However, the franchise decided against retaining him. The owners felt that keeping a national player will hamper their bidding chances in the auctions.

Karthik won’t be available for the first half of the Tamil Nadu Premier League. He is part of India’s limited-overs which will be touring England. They are set to play three ODI’s and as many T20I’s before they square off in a five-match Test series.

Karthik has been a regular feature in the India squad in the recent times. However, if Karthik gets a call from up for the five-match Test series, he is expected to miss the whole season of TNPL. Given the fact that he is in some great form, the chances of his Test return seems likely.

The limited-overs series against England will end on July 17 while the TNPL will start from 11^th July. Following the conclusion of the series, Team India will bet a two weeks break, as they prepare for the gruelling five-match Test series against England.

They lost the series by a 1-3 margin on their last tour. BCCI has given them a couple of games to acclimatise to the English conditions ahead of a tough series.

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The five-match Test series starts on August 1. Karthik who had looked in good touch might well be the likely candidate in the flight with Wriddhiman Saha.

However, the assumptions can be assured if only Karthik is selected for the historic one-off Test against Afghanistan. Saha is expected to miss the match which will open the doors for Karthik. If he is part of the playing XI for that Test; the chances are high that he might be the 2^nd wicket-keeper on the tour of England.

If that’s the case, Karaikudi Kaalai will need to search for a new skipper. Subramaniam Badrinath has been appointed as the head coach of the franchise. He is yet to announce his retirement from cricket.

Meanwhile, youngster Washington Sundar was bought by the Tuti Patriots. Sundar won’t be able to play in the first half of the tournament due to his international assignments. He will definitely be available for the 2^nd half, as he is not on the Test radar.

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