IND vs AFG, 2018: Dinesh Karthik Replaces Injured Wriddhiman Saha for One-off Test
Jun 3, 2018 at 10:09 AM
Things continue to get better for Dinesh Karthik, when it comes to International cricket. Now, he is ready to don the gloves in the absence of injured and first-choice wicketkeeper for India in whites, Wriddhiman Saha.
Saha injured his thumb while representing Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) during the second qualifier against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Since then, he has been doubtful for the impending Test fixture against Afghanistan, who will play their inaugural Test match.
Therefore, Saha was also ruled out of the grand finale of the domestic professional domestic league. He was under an observation of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) medical team after his injury.
Also Read: Indian Players to Undergo Yo-Yo Test Before the Afghanistan Test.
Golden opportunity for Karthik:
It was only a season back when BCCI Chairman of Selectors, shocked one-and-all by giving another opportunity to the Tamil Nadu-based stalwart in the Indian team.
BCCI gave a strong message to all cricketers that consistent performance in the domestic circuit would be regarded, and age is not the sole criterion to get a spot in the national team.
Since then, he has been in the fringes of the Indian team in white-ball cricket. He got used in the available number four spot.
The knock he played at the final of the 2018 Nidahas Trophy, might be the turning point of his International career. Many view Karthik as a suitable option in the Indian middle order for the World Cup in 2019.
Karthik continued to display his worth when it comes to the captaincy in the IPL. He took the Knight Riders to podium finish this season.
With the injury to Saha, this now is Karthik’s golden opportunity to show his worth in Test cricket.