Dinesh Karthik : Current Indian Team Arguably Best Test Side The Country Ever Had

Dinesh Karthik termed the current Indian team led by Virat Kohli as one of the best Test sides the country has ever had. Wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik also credited the bowling unit for playing key roles in India’s away wins.

Virat Kohli-led India scripted history on Thursday, defeating South Africa by 113 runs to register their first-ever Test match triumph in Centurion.

Dinesh Karthik: Current Indian Test Team Arguably Best For Their Overseas Records

Reflecting on India’s memorable victory, Dinesh Karthik told Shaun Pollock during an interaction that despite the middle-order batting unit not firing and not performing at their best, India is winning many matches overseas. The due credit should be given to the quality Indian pace attack, feels the veteran keeper.

“This is arguably one of India’s best ever Test teams, only because of their overseas record over a period of time. The batting actually hasn’t fired as much as they would have liked. We keep speaking about the fact that the middle-order batters – Rahane, Pujara and Kohli – haven’t got hundreds. Still, they are winning Test matches abroad. And we are talking about the top teams in the world – Australia, South Africa and England.”

Hailing India’s bowlers, particularly the pace bowling department, for their brilliant performances in the team’s wins, Dinesh Karthik added: “Credit has to be given to the bowlers. They have been fantabulous over a period of time. The fast bowlers – Shami, Bumrah, Siraj now and Ishant, obviously, over a period of time – have been phenomenal for India.”

Analyzing India’s growing success away from home, Shaun Pollock pointed out that past Indian teams haven’t had the luxury of quality backup pacers.

Elaborating on his views, the South African legend said: “India haven’t had that third and fourth bowling options in the past. They had Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad but the back-up seamers weren’t able to do the job. Spinners are obviously not as effective (in South Africa).”

While speaking about India’s current bowling line-up, Pollock added: “India have always had some fantastic batters. The balance to this bowling attack is as good as we have ever seen in this country. That’s why India have had the success. They have got those wickets. You have to get those runs on the board but India have always had guys who have scored hundreds. The balance bowling wise is why India are doing so well.”

Mohammed Shami led the bowling charge for India in Centurion, claiming eight wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah snared five. Virat Kohli-led Team India made light work of the remaining six South African wickets on Day 5 as the visitors registered an emphatic 113-run win against the hosts at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. A disappointing day for South Africa saw them add only 97 runs on the final day as they went on to lose six wickets in the process.

Dinesh Karthik Confident That India Will Win Maiden Series In South Africa

India has never won a Test series in South Africa to date. However, Dinesh Karthik is confident India can break the jinx this time. Referring to India’s record in Johannesburg, the venue for the second Test, the keeper-batter signed off by stating that he is optimistic of India’s chances of a record maiden Test series win on South African soil.

“I am pretty confident that this series will belong to India. I say that mainly because of the record they have in Johannesburg. They have found a way to win in Johannesburg twice. It is one of their happy hunting grounds. The fact that they are going there to play the second Test there will keep them in good stead.”

India defeated South Africa by 123 runs in Johannesburg in 2006/07 (their first Test win in the country) and by 63 runs in 2017-18. India wrapped up a memorable 2021 in style by bringing down South Africa’s citadel, the Supersport Park, as they handed the Proteas a 113-run loss in the opening Test.

The quartet of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Shardul Thakur shone brightly in India’s historic win over South Africa. KL Rahul received the Player of the Match award for his 123 (260) in the first innings before the Indian pace bowling quartet helped in dismissing the hosts within 200 runs twice in both innings.

India achieved their victory despite the entire second day of the Test being washed out due to rain and taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second Test will be played in Johannesburg from Jan. 3-7, with the third set for Cape Town from Jan. 11-15. India is seeking a first-ever Test series win in South Africa.