Birthday special: Dinesh Karthik – Top five knocks for India
He is a player who is highly underrated. Even though he made his international debut for India way back in the year 2004, Dinesh Karthik has not been treated fairly by the Indian cricket team. In his international career that has lasted more than a decade and a half, Karthik has featured in 26 Tests, 94 ODIs and 60 T20Is for India.
While he scored 1025 runs in Test cricket, Karthik amassed 1752 runs in the ODI format of the game. In T20I cricket, Karthik scored 686 runs at an average of 26.04. Karthik’s last match for India was on 02nd November 2022, when India defeated Bangladesh in a T20 World Cup encounter. With Karthik turning 38 today, let us take a look at his 5 best knocks for the Indian side.
5) 29* vs Bangladesh – T20Is
The 8 balls that Dinesh Karthik played en route to his blazing 29* against Bangladesh will not be forgotten by any Indian cricket fan. In what was an absolutely pulsating encounter, Dinesh Karthik’s last-ball six off the bowling of Soumya Sarkar allowed India to come back from the brink and win the match against Bangladesh.
Bangladesh batted first and posted a total of 166/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Sabbir Rahman was the catalyst of the Bangladesh side and scored 77 off 50 deliveries. In reply, Rohit Sharma scored 56 at the top of the order. But then, none of the other Indian batsmen spent enough time out in the middle, and the equation came down to 5 runs needed off the final delivery for India. And, Karthik blasted the final delivery of the match over cover for six, to allow India to post a sensational victory over Bangladesh.
4) 79 vs South Africa – ODIs
This ODI is famous for the historic double hundred that the legendary Sachin Tendulkar scored against South Africa. Even though the spotlight was on Tendulkar, Dinesh Karthik played an underrated classic and supported the master batsman. Batting first, India lost Virender Sehwag early, and Dinesh Karthik joined Tendulkar with the scorecard reading 25/1.
The duo of Tendulkar and Karthik put on a partnership of 194 runs. And, in an innings studded with 4 fours and 3 sixes, Karthik plundered an 85-ball 79. While Tendulkar scored a 147-ball 200*, MS Dhoni provided the finishing touches and scored a murderous 68* off 35 deliveries as India ended their innings with a total of 401/3 in 50 overs.
The South African side crumbled under pressure and was bowled out for a total of just 248, as India thrashed their opponents by 153 runs.
3) 91 vs England – Tests
At the Kennington Oval in London, Dinesh Karthik produced a classic with the willow for India in white flannels. Opening the batting, Karthik scored a masterly 151-ball 91 at the top of the order. His innings was embellished with 10 fours and a six. Apart from Karthik, Anil Kumble scored a sensational century, as India posted a mammoth total of 664 runs on the board.
England were bowled out for 345 in the first innings, as Anil Kumble and Zaheer Khan scalped three wickets each. India batted again and declared their second innings with a total of 180/6, setting England an improbable target of 500 for victory. But then, the England batsmen produced a fighting performance in the second innings and survived 110 overs, as the match ended in a draw. England’s scorecard read 369/6 in their second innings.
2) 129 vs Bangladesh – Tests
At the Shere Bangla Stadium in Mirpur, Dinesh Karthik gave a pounding to the Bangladesh bowling attack. Opening the batting, the right-hander scored a classic 129 off 212 deliveries and this is his highest individual score in Test match cricket. In fact, the Bangladesh bowlers received a hammering from the Indian batsman. Apart from Karthik, the likes of Wasim Jaffer, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar slammed centuries as India declared their first innings with a total of 610/3 on the board.
Bangladesh produced a miserable performance in reply and were bowled out for a paltry total of just 118. The Bangladesh side was asked to follow on, and they were bowled out for 253 in their second innings, as India pummeled their opponents by an innings and 239 runs.
1) 93 vs Pakistan – Tests
At the iconic Eden Gardens Stadium, Dinesh Karthik played arguably the greatest knock of his career against the Pakistan side. Batting first, India posted a total of 407, with Rahul Dravid scoring 110 off 222 deliveries. Pakistan replied with a total of 393, with Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf scoring centuries.
In the second innings, Rahul Dravid and Dinesh Karthik stole the show for India with the willow. While Dravid scored his second century of the match, Karthik scored a resplendent 93. India declared their second innings with a total of 407 on the board and set Pakistan a target of 422 for victory. Pakistan was bowled out for a total of just 226, and India won the match by 195 runs.
