Dinesh Karthik is a cricketer who faced challenges being in the same era as MS Dhoni. Since his debut in 2004, he has struggled to secure a permanent spot on the Indian team. Despite this, he continues to work hard and aims to earn his place. Karthik is among a few Indians who have scored over 5000 runs in T20 cricket, averaging 27.19 with a strike rate of 132.52. In 2018, he had a successful year playing many matches across all formats for India. With Dhoni approaching retirement, Karthik is seen as a potential replacement in T20 internationals.
Now let’s look at DK’s top 5 innings in his T20 career
5. 31*(28) vs South Africa in Johannesburg
DK played in India’s first-ever international T20 match against South Africa in late 2006. South Africa batted first, scoring 126 runs. DK joined the Indian team at 71 for 3, batting at number 5. He partnered with Dinesh Mongia, contributing to India’s victory. DK scored 31 runs off 28 balls with 3 fours and a six, earning him the Man of the Match award. He continued playing for India in T20 cricket, including two matches in the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup, which India won by defeating Pakistan.
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4. 56*(32) vs Mumbai Indians in Delhi
Dinesh Karthik joined Delhi Daredevils in the first IPL season for 2.1 crores. In IPL 2008, he struggled until the last league game against Mumbai. Delhi needed to beat Mumbai to reach the semi-finals.
Mumbai batted first, scoring 176 runs in 20 overs, with Jayasurya making 66 and Uthappa 46. Delhi, needing 177 to win, started well but lost key wickets early. By the 11th over, they were 89 for 4. They still needed 88 runs from 9 overs.
Karthik, batting at number 5, partnered with Manoj Tiwary (36 runs). They added 41 runs in 4 overs. With 47 runs required from the last 5 overs, Karthik scored his first IPL fifty. He remained unbeaten with 56 off 32 balls, including 4 fours and 3 sixes, and was named Man of the Match.
Despite Karthik’s efforts, Delhi lost the semi-final to Rajasthan, who eventually won 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 faced his former team, Delhi, where he made a significant impact. Batting first, Mumbai lost Ricky Ponting early. Karthik came in at number 3, and despite losing Sachin soon after, he and Rohit Sharma turned the game around.
Together, they scored 132 runs in 79 balls, with Karthik leading the charge. He scored 86 runs off 48 balls with 14 fours and 2 sixes, setting a record for his highest IPL score. Mumbai finished with 209 runs, winning by 44 runs. Karthik earned the Man of the Match award.
He ended the season with 510 runs, his highest in a single IPL season. Mumbai Indians won both the IPL and the Champions League T20 that year. However, Mumbai did not retain him for the next season, and Delhi bought him back for ₹10.5 crores.
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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. It was a big job to replace Gautam Gambhir, who led KKR to two IPL titles. DK showed his value by scoring 498 runs, his second-best total since 2013. He played the role of a finisher perfectly.
In the eliminator between KKR and RR, Rahane won the toss and chose to field first against DK’s KKR. 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, with India needing 34 runs from 12 balls. Fans thought Bangladesh would win, but Karthik had a plan.
In the 19th over, bowled by Rubel Hussain who had taken 2 wickets for 13 runs, Karthik hit a six and a boundary 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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