JOIN USTamil Nadu’s seasoned wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik will reach a milestone when he steps on to the field for his team’s Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Karnataka here on Friday.
Karthik, sidelined from the national squad since the 2014 Asia Cup, will play his 100th Ranji Trophy game. Karthik will be the third Tamil Nadu player to reach the landmark after Sridharan Sharath and Subramaniam Badrinath.
Having played under the shadow of India’s most successful wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Karthik never had a consistent run at the international level.
But pleased with his domestic record, the 31-year-old believed he still has it in him to get back into the Indian set up.
“Sometimes I might get an opportunity when nobody is expecting it. It was touch and go between Parthiv and me. I unfortunately suffered a finger injury when the selectors were looking for a replacement for the injured Wriddhiman Saha. But that’s how life is. There are so many cricketers who got selected and then got injured. It’s part and parcel of the game,” said Karthik.
Karthik, who has featured in 23 Tests, 71 one-day internationals and nine T20Is, felt he has matured as a batsman. “When I started playing domestic cricket, I was a typical youngster who was flamboyant and flashy. I never used to think about situations. I used to score a brilliant 60 or 70 in one game and then fail in the next couple of games. Over a period of time, I feel what I have striven to achieve as a player is consistency,” he offered.
Karthik said he is up for the challenges ahead and keen to be consistent.
“Consistency has been one of my top priorities. So when I don’t score I feel really bad. I get jittery when I don’t do well for three to four games. I failed in my batting in the first year of captaincy for Tamil Nadu. But I am ready for such challenges and I want to excel in them."
The right-hander said he is eager to make the most of every match he plays. “I am at the stage in my cricketing career where I try to enjoy each and every game I play. I am just enjoying my game right now. I am feeling relaxed as a player. I just want to keep playing for Tamil Nadu. The association has been supportive and I want to remain positive as a player,” he said.