In this article, we will discuss the Top 3 performances by Dinesh Karthik in Test Cricket. Dinesh Karthik has been one of India’s most unfortunate and underrated stars during his two-decade-long career. The former India star made his debut at the age of 19 and saw his career being overshadowed by the presence of MS Dhoni who made his debut around the same time.
The Chennai-based former India stumper made his Test Match debut in late 2004 in the famous game against Australia in Mumbai. Karthik scored just 14 runs with the bat and got a few dismissals behind the stumps as India won the match by 13 runs.
By the time he ended his test career in 2018, Dinesh Karthik had just played 26 matches and scored 1025 runs with one century and 7 half-centuries with an average of 25. His Test career also saw him take 57 catches and get six stumpings.
Here are the top 3 knocks of Dinesh Karthik in Test cricket
3. 46 versus South Africa –Kolkata 2004
After the first Test was drawn in Kanpur, India was under pressure to win the second Test in Kolkata. The home team had just lost their proud home record after the 2-1 series loss to Australia a week earlier. Jacques Kallis with 121 had helped the visitors reach 305 in the first innings. India got a great start thanks to Virender Sehwag who scored 88 runs from 118 balls. Dinesh Karthik showing maturity beyond his years scored a patient 46 runs from 147 balls to negate the dangerous South African bowlers and helped India take a decent lead which ultimately resulted in a win.
2. 93 vs Pakistan –Kolkata 2005
Dinesh Karthik played a crucial knock during the high-voltage India vs Pakistan series in 2005 during the Kolkata Test. Rahul Dravid’s century in the first innings had helped India reach 407. Pakistan responded with 393 runs thanks to centuries by Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan. At 154/4 India saw themselves in trouble but young Dinesh Karthik joined forces with Rahul Dravid and added 167 runs for the 5th wicket. Karthik ended up with 93 runs from 140 balls before Danish Kaneria dismissed him as India won the match by 195 runs. It was an important knock by the youngster as he was lauded by his teammates and Rahul Dravid in particular after his mature innings.
1. 129 vs Bangladesh – Mirpur 2007
India had toured Bangladesh after their dismal showing in the 2007 ODI World Cup where their loss to Bangladesh had laid the foundation for an early exit. The second Test in Mirpur saw the top four Indian batters score a Test century. Dinesh Karthik aged 21 got to his maiden Test century as he scored 129 runs from 212 balls with 16 hits to the fence. Wasim Jaffer, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sourav Ganguly also scored centuries as India posted a huge score of 610 runs. Bangladesh were bowled out for 118 in the first innings with Zaheer Khan picking a fifer and were bowled out for 253 in the 2nd innings as India won by an innings and 239 runs.