Dinesh Karthik’s majestic knock of unbeaten 29 off just ball balls in Colombo must be included in the list of best finishes in T20 internationals because it was delivered against the odds in the final of a T20I tri-series.
Held back in the order while the rookie Vijay Shankar was preferred at No 5 – despite never having batted at international level – the experienced Karthik entered India’s chase after Mustafizur Rahman had bowled a stunning wicket-maiden 18th over.
India needed 34 off 12 balls, and Karthik summoned his deepest resolve to hit 22 off the penultimate over. Back on strike for the last ball of the match, from which India needed five to win, Karthik kept his cool and drove Saumya Sarkar over extra cover for a flat six to cue sensational scenes at the R Premadasa Stadium. With that unbelievable hit, India chased down 167 to claim the Nidahas Trophy.
Karthik’s wife, Dipika Pallika, was all over the moon after this innings from her husband. Dipika put up an Instagram story and termed her husband Dinesh Karthik as ‘SuperHero’.
