(Source X)
Dinesh Karthik, the renowned former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, is presently stationed in England. His current role involves providing insightful commentary for Sky Sports during the ongoing England vs West Indies Test series at Edgbaston.
England has already secured victory in the series before the commencement of the third Test match. Karthik, celebrated for his unforgettable match-winning performance in the Nidahas Trophy against Bangladesh, where he sealed India’s win with a six off the final ball, revitalized his international career with that iconic innings.
His contributions led to his inclusion in India’s squads for the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup. Following a distinguished career, he retired from professional cricket after the 2024 IPL season. Transitioning seamlessly into a new chapter, Karthik now engages in commentary duties, collaborating with platforms like Cricbuzz alongside his commitments with Sky Sports in England.
During an engaging Reddit session, Dinesh Karthik entertained his fans by responding to various inquiries. Among the questions posed was one about the funniest moment he experienced in the Indian dressing room throughout his extensive career.
Curiously, his choice for the funniest moment revolved around former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly.
“One of the funniest moments I was involved was when In Cape Town when Sourav Ganguly had to go back, he was padded up waiting for a long time and wickets did not fall, he had gone to the toilet and eventually had to walk out to bat and all that happened in a hurry. In fact play waited for a bit before he could come,” said Karthik.
Karthik singled out Pakistan as his favored opponent from his playing days. Across six Test matches against them, he amassed 261 runs. In ODIs, he played four matches against Pakistan, achieving a top score of 31 not out, and in T20Is, he participated in three matches, with a highest score of 11 runs.
“Favourite team I played against I must say it is Pakistan because there was so much fan following and the rivalry is always so high so it is always a lot of fun playing Pakistan,” said DK.
He went on to describe Lasith Malinga as the most formidable bowler he encountered in international cricket, likening facing him to a recurring nightmare.
“The bowler that I found the hardest, Lasith Malinga, I really found it hard to pick him, he was a nightmare.”
Karthik featured prominently in 26 Test matches, 94 ODIs, and 60 T20Is for Team India. Notably, he excelled in the T20I format, particularly towards the latter stages of his career. Following MS Dhoni’s retirement from international cricket and with the emergence of Rishabh Pant, Karthik adeptly stepped into the role of a finisher for the team. He delivered several impactful innings in that capacity, culminating in his lone T20I half-century against South Africa in 2022.
