While the runs scored in this innings may not really speak to just how significant the innings was, Karthik’s unbeaten 29 (8 balls) against Bangladesh in the final of 2018 Nidahas Trophy was the high point of his international career. In a low-scoring game against the West Indies in 2007, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik’s 63 from 87 balls helped India to achieve a respectable total in their first innings. Coming in as India needed 34 runs from the final two overs, Karthiks attack (which included a six as they needed five runs from the final ball) won the match and Nidahas Trophy. Whenever the 2018 Nidahas Trophy final between India and Bangladesh is discussed, his game-winning knock of 29 runs in 8 balls, with three sixes and 2 boundaries is remembered.
In what was a thoroughly thrilling match, Dinesh Karthik’s six in the final ball against the bowling of Soumya Sarkar enabled India to come back from the brink to win the game against Bangladesh. Karthik hit the last delivery of the match off the covers for a six, which allowed India to register an amazing win against Bangladesh. In the last over, India needed five runs from the final ball, and a flat six over cover extra sealed the deal, with Karthik walking off to a standing ovation.
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Karthik kept wickets in the next two matches, making 32 and 19 (not out in either) and helping India reach their target in successful runs-chases. Although Karthik made 48 and 34 in quick succession, as India won both matches, he was dropped for the final (which India lost). Karthik was later reinstated as a back-up wicket-keeper for the tour to the West Indies, having scored 134 runs for India A at 33.50, including the match-winning 75-run knock against UAE. Although he did not play any matches in the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup, following the squad overhaul Karthik was selected as the specialist opening batsman for the Bangladesh tour.
Dinesh Karthik played in the 2008 Indian Premier League as a wicket-keeper for the Delhi Daredevils, scoring 145 runs at 24.16, with an eagle strike rate of 135.51. Even after making his debut for India at international level as early as 2004, Dinesh Karthik was not treated kindly by the Indian cricketing establishment.
Dinesh Karthik has been around for a while now, even being a part of the Indian side that faced South Africa in the first-ever T20I game for India back in 2006. While everyone will recall his knocks at the Nidahas Trophy, let us not forget that Indian veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has 2nd-best strike rate among Indian batsmen in T20Is. Dinesh Karthiks most iconic moment wearing an Indian shirt in the shortest format came during Rohit is captaincy, as his thrilling innings helped India to a Nidahas Trophy final victory over Bangladesh in 2018 on the final ball. Despite having played no matches after Indias semifinal exit to New Zealand at the 2019 World Cup, Dinesh Karthik is still considered to be the most complete batsman to emerge from Tamil Nadu.