Chance for Karthik to once again prove his Test credentials

CHENNAI: For Dinesh Karthik, there couldn’t have been a extra opportune time to get a recall into the Indian Test aspect. Replacing the injured Wriddhiman Saha for the one-off Test towards Afghanistan beginning in Bengaluru from June 14, Karthik’s self assurance will have to be sky-high in this day and age after a whirlwind past few months that have included taking India to a memorable last-ball victory in the Nidahas Trophy and leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to a creditable third-placed finish in his first revel in of captaincy in the IPL.


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Now, as Karthik will get able to make a comeback in the white flannels greater than 8 years after enjoying his final Test in January 2010 towards Bangladesh, an opportunity to make a real influence beckons.

For the tour of South Africa in the beginning of this year, the 33-year-old had misplaced out to Parthiv Patel for the reserve wicketkeeper’s slot, however he turns out to have now overtaken the latter courtesy a string of spectacular limited-overs performances in recent years.

“Although Karthik hasn’t played a Test for a long time now, he has played sufficient to understand what Test cricket is. Most importantly, he seems to be in an excellent house both physically and mentally. He has been brilliant in white-ball cricket for India in the last few months and also took on the duty of leading a big aspect like KKR in the IPL. I consider he additionally realises that this is able to well be the final alternative for him and will wish to make use of this. I haven't any doubt in my thoughts that he's able to take this opportunity,” former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta advised TOI on Saturday.

By Karthik’s personal admission, his resurgence in shape and new-found assuredness off and on the sphere have a lot to do with shut good friend and mentor Abhishek Nayar’s steering. It was the former India and Mumbai allrounder who helped Karthik do away with the “self-doubt” about his skill to make an India comeback.

“A Test recall way the sector to him. When we started working in combination, we didn’t dream or imagine that he could get back into Test cricket. We were sensible with IPL and stuff. I feel we will be able to get in combination and start running from June 6 in Bengaluru. So he'll have a excellent week or as a way to get ready leading into the Test,” Nayar stated.

With the England Test collection not far away, a excellent day out towards Afghanistan could simply help Karthik make the task that much more difficult for the selectors even if Saha recovers from his thumb injury. While it sort of feels all however sure that he would be the reserve wicketkeeper for the England collection, the TN participant is also in a position to enjoying as a specialist batsman if the desire arises, simply as he did all over the 2007 collection.

“To be honest, let’s stay Saha aside as a result of he is by way of some distance the most productive wicketkeeper. But what I can say is Dinesh has additionally been keeping well during the last year or so. I haven’t observed him make any evident mistakes. As some distance as the England collection is worried, it additionally boils right down to what sort of Test match Karthik has towards Afghanistan with bat and gloves. Now that he has been picked forward of Parthiv, he is no doubt going to be part of the England Test tour. There is a large number of cricket Dinesh will play in the next two months. So there is time to see what sort of shape he is in by the point the England Test collection starts,” Dasgupta added.