Dinesh Karthik is a cricketer who has had a tough time because he played during the same time as MS Dhoni. Since he started in 2004, he has struggled to stay in the Indian team permanently. Even so, he keeps working hard to earn his place. Karthik is one of the few Indians who have scored over 5000 runs in T20 cricket. He averages 27.19 with a strike rate of 132.52. In 2018, he played many matches in all formats for India and did well. With Dhoni nearing retirement, Karthik is seen as a possible replacement in T20 internationals.
Here are DK’s top 5 innings in his T20 career:
5. 31*(28) vs South Africa in Johannesburg
DK played in India’s first international T20 match against South Africa in late 2006. South Africa batted first and scored 126 runs. DK joined the Indian team when the score was 71 for 3, batting at number 5. He partnered with Dinesh Mongia, helping India win. DK scored 31 runs from 28 balls with 3 fours and a six, earning the Man of the Match award. He continued playing T20 cricket for India, including two matches in the 2007 T20 World Cup, which India won by defeating Pakistan.
4. 56*(32) vs Mumbai Indians in Delhi
Dinesh Karthik joined the Delhi Daredevils for 2.1 crores in the first IPL season. In IPL 2008, he struggled until the last league game against Mumbai. Delhi had to beat Mumbai to reach the semi-finals.
Mumbai batted first and scored 176 runs in 20 overs, with Jayasurya making 66 and Uthappa 46. Delhi needed 177 to win. They started well but lost key wickets early. By the 11th over, they were 89 for 4 and needed 88 runs from 9 overs.
Karthik, batting at number 5, teamed up with Manoj Tiwary (who scored 36). They added 41 runs in 4 overs. With 47 runs needed from the last 5 overs, Karthik scored his first IPL fifty. He remained unbeaten with 56 runs off 32 balls, hitting 4 fours and 3 sixes, and was named Man of the Match.
Despite Karthik’s efforts, Delhi lost the semi-final to Rajasthan, who went on to win the first IPL.
3. 86 (48) vs Delhi Daredevils in Mumbai
Five years later, Dinesh Karthik played for Mumbai Indians in the 6th IPL season. He played against his old team, Delhi, and made a big impact. Mumbai batted first but lost Ricky Ponting early. Karthik came in at number 3, and even though Sachin Tendulkar got out soon after, Karthik and Rohit Sharma turned the game around.
They scored 132 runs in 79 balls, with Karthik leading. He made 86 runs off 48 balls with 14 fours and 2 sixes, which was his highest IPL score. Mumbai ended with 209 runs and won by 44 runs. Karthik was named Man of the Match.
He finished the season with 510 runs, his best in one IPL season. That year, Mumbai Indians won both the IPL and the Champions League T20. However, Mumbai did not keep him for the next season, and Delhi bought him back for ₹10.5 crores.
4. 52(38) vs Rajasthan Royals in Kolkata
Five years later, Dinesh Karthik joined Kolkata after being chosen in the auction and became their captain. He had a big job replacing Gautam Gambhir, who led KKR to two IPL titles. DK showed his value by scoring 498 runs, his second-best total since 2013, and he played the role of a finisher perfectly.
In the eliminator between KKR and RR, Rahane won the toss and chose to field first. KKR struggled at 51 for 4 in 8 overs. DK knew he had to bat well to save his team. He scored 55 runs off 40 balls with Shubman Gill and added 29 runs off 17 balls with Andre Russell. DK reached his fifty with a six but got out scoring 52 off 38 balls. KKR finished on 169 and won by 25 runs.
Even though DK didn’t win the Man of the Match award, his innings helped KKR achieve a competitive score and reach the playoffs. KKR lost to eventual runners-up SRH in the next match. DK was selected in the IPL 2018 XI.
5. 29*(8) vs Bangladesh in Colombo
India was almost losing to Bangladesh in the Nidahas Trophy final. Dinesh Karthik came to bat at number 7 when India needed 34 runs from 12 balls. Fans thought Bangladesh would win, but Karthik had a plan.
In the 19th over, bowled by Rubel Hossain who had taken 2 wickets for 13 runs, Karthik hit a six and a four in the first two balls. He then hit another six and a four, scoring 22 runs in that over. Rubel ended with 2 wickets for 35 runs. With 5 runs needed from the last ball, Karthik hit a six over extra cover, winning the match and the Nidahas Trophy for India. He scored 29 runs off 8 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes.
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