Didn’t lose my place to a normal cricketer, it was MS Dhoni: Dinesh Karthik

It was in January, 2010 that Dinesh Karthik last played a Test. Eight years down the line, following the hard grind of domestic cricket and on-and-off call ups to the India team, the 33-year-old has yet another chance due to Wriddhiman Saha’s injury as India host Afghanistan for the latter’s first-ever Test starting Thursday.

Karthik had no issues over losing his Test spot to MS Dhoni, even admitting that perhaps he wasn’t playing that well. With the Test whites beckoning again, Karthik looked at ease and admitted he had persevered due to the love of the game.

It was in January, 2010 that Dinesh Karthik last played a Test. Eight years down the line, following the hard grind of domestic cricket and on-and-off call ups to the India team, the 33-year-old has yet another chance due to Wriddhiman Saha’s injury as India host Afghanistan for the latter’s first-ever Test starting Thursday.

Karthik had no issues over losing his Test spot to MS Dhoni, even admitting that perhaps he wasn’t playing that well. With the Test whites beckoning again, Karthik looked at ease and admitted he had persevered due to the love of the game.

It was in January, 2010 that Dinesh Karthik last played a Test. Eight years down the line, following the hard grind of domestic cricket and on-and-off call ups to the India team, the 33-year-old has yet another chance due to Wriddhiman Saha’s injury as India host Afghanistan for the latter’s first-ever Test starting Thursday.

Karthik had no issues over losing his Test spot to MS Dhoni, even admitting that perhaps he wasn’t playing that well. With the Test whites beckoning again, Karthik looked at ease and admitted he had persevered due to the love of the game.

With Saha nursing an injured thumb, a good performance here is likely to propel Karthik close to selection for the England tour, with India due to play a five-match Test series.

However, Karthik believes it’s not about beating Saha to a spot but trying and doing his best.

“What I’m looking to do is be the best cricketer. If I start thinking about that aspect, then it will be subjective — I need to score this, I need to score that. I don’t want to keep it that way. I want to keep it in a way which is to try and prepare as much as I can; and given a chance, try and deliver.”