Was lucky to have played at the same time as MS Dhoni – Dinesh Karthik

Wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has not been in the national set-up for quite some time now. Despite being a regular performer at the domestic level, he has failed to capitalize on his chances. Once seen as the answer to India’s wicketkeeping woes, Karthik is currently trying to carve his way back to the Indian team.

With the retirement of MS Dhoni from Test cricket, Karthik has a fair opportunity to strike back. He is currently with the Tamil Nadu team in the Ranji Trophy. In a recent interview with TOI, Karthik opened up about his plans and playing with MS Dhoni. He is a veteran in Tamil Nadu cricket now. DK cites this as his prime motivation behind playing in the Ranji Trophy.

The biggest factor that pushes him to play the premier first-class domestic tournament is his wish to win it for the team. He also feels he is still pretty much in the reckoning for the national team. “I’m still in the national reckoning. I love playing for Tamil Nadu. I want to win Ranji Trophy at least once for Tamil Nadu and that is the biggest motivation for me, when I play Ranji,” quoted the 31-year old.

When asked if he regrets not playing for India as much as he could have, Karthik was straightforward in admitting that he regrets putting himself under pressure more than anything else. “The only regret is that I had put too much pressure on myself when I played for India. The expectations I had put on myself were too high. And I’m not a stats person. Even if I get out at 90, I would feel happy to have scored a 90 and not rue missing a 100,” said Karthik.

Also check out – Twitter Reactions: Ravichandran Ashwin bags 6 as Kiwis fumble yet again

Commenting on whether he ever analyzed his game style to that of MS Dhoni, Karthik responded on a positive note. He credits Dhoni for being mentally tough. He also called MSD unconventional in many ways, in both batting and bowling.

“He was unorthodox in his batting and keeping. He was far more mentally strong than I was in a lot of situations. And the mental strength came to him naturally with whatever he has gone through in life. You have to give him credit for that. I was more gifted in many ways. I was technically correct. There was a lot difference in the upbringing of both of us,” quoted Dinesh Karthik.

However, he doesn’t feel that it was due to Dhoni’s presence that he did not get enough chances. He said that he rather considers himself lucky to have played for India as a specialist batsman despite the presence of a class act like MS Dhoni.

“I have never thought like that. If Dhoni had not been there and I had failed, then someone else would have replaced me. I’m not frustrated or angry (that) I didn’t play 100 Tests. There is no point in being upset that Dhoni was around when I was also there. I looked at it the other way. When Dhoni was playing, I was still able to play so many matches for India as a batsman. In fact, I have been lucky enough to spend so much time with him talking to him on a personal note,” remarked Karthik.

Also Watch: Ben Stokes and Tamim Iqbal involved in shoulder barging fight

He had a special mention in the recently released MS Dhoni biopic. The selectors were seen picking up Dhoni after discussing the name of Dinesh Karthik for the tour to Bangladesh in 2004. Karthik said that he watched the movie and was surprised at the scene. But he maintained that he has never cribbed about not being picked in the team.

“I watched it (MS Dhoni biopic). I was surprised actually, that there was a scene involving me. But I never sort of felt Dhoni was selected ahead of me. I never crib about things. I have never asked any selector why I wasn’t picked. I always believed that if you have the skill, then you will find a way to get an opportunity,” conceded Dinesh Karthik.