TNPL 2018: KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik joins a new team

Dinesh Karthik has not been retained by the Tuti Patriots in the ongoing players draft of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). He had led them to the final last season but it seems that the limited availability of the cricketer has forced the franchise to take a tough call.

Karthik was also instrumental for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and led from the front taking the team to the playoffs of the tournament. However, he will now play for Karaikudi Kaalai franchise and was also the first pick of the day.

Interestingly, Karthik’s availability for the tournament this year is not clear with the Indian team slated to tour England in the last week of June. He has been included in both the T20I and ODI squad as the limited-overs leg of the UK tour ends on July 17. There is also a possibility that he will be picked for the five-match Test series as a backup wicketkeeper for Wridhhiman Saha.

Will Karthik play this season?

In case, Karthik is not part of the Test squad for the tour, he is expected to return and play for his team in the TNPL. But if the selectors opt for him ahead of Parthiv Patel, then he will definitely miss the whole season this year. The owner of Tuti Patriots clarified that retaining an international player dents their bids in the auction according to Indian Express.

As of now, Karthik is missing the first week of the tournament which is set to commence on July 11. But if he stays in England for the tussle in whites, then it will be a huge blow Karaikudi Kaalai franchise.

Interestingly the franchise owner is aware of Karthik’s availability and said, “We initially thought that we’ll be going in with four capped players. When others went for all the best options, so we thought that even if not this year, then next year he (Karthik) can play for us and it would be good to have him during sessions. Our captain, most probably, would be Anirudha Srikanth (in Karthik’s absence).”

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