Dinesh Kaarthick

Guts, determination and perseverance – that sums up Dinesh on the field. I will stick to just Dinesh as there are many versions of the spelling of his second name. He is the new kid in the team who everyone loves.

He has only played useful knocks. Often, when the rest of team performs, Dinesh gets out cheaply. But, when the rest of the team is not able to hang on, Dinesh more often that not, sticks around. When he’s at the crease scripting one of these utilitarian innings, he has two methods of helping the team.

Very often, connoisseurs of the game comment on how players also play second string to the batsman on fire. A lot of batsmen do this very well, and so does Dinesh. From as much as I have seen of him, Dinesh seems to have the capability to understand the situation of the game very well – and as a result of this, plays as the conditions demand. He has great control over his cricket. He is capable of adjusting the construction of his innings as the situation demands. Playing alongside an in form Tendulkar for example, Dinesh can tighten one end up and let the genius take care of the rest. Giving the senior or in form batsman more strike, not going for too many gambles are some ways in which he does this. But, it is important to point out that this does not mean he can open the batting. As I write this, Dinesh has fallen LBW to Sidebottom for next to nothing.

On the other hand, if he is batting with a tailender for example, he is capable of taking complete control over proceedings and making sure that the lesser batsman does not get too much of strike. What’s more, Dinesh does this without sacrificing too many runs.

Technically, he probably has one noticeable flaw which at this stage in his career, can be corrected. Often – as has just occurred – he tends to bring his front foot too far across the stumps and is prone to being trapped in front. Further observation will reveal that Dinesh is not exactly comfortable with the ball coming into him after the pitch. A personal opinion – as far as ‘keeping goes, he is miles ahead of Dhoni.

Different people may have differing opinions. Mine is that Dinesh is a great asset to the Indian team.-BS