India vs England: Dinesh Karthik set to join the commentary box for limited-overs series

Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has fallen out-of-favour from the minds of the Indian selectors and captain as a potential wicketkeeper-batsman for the Indian cricket team in limited-overs format after the retirement of former Indian captain MS Dhoni. Karthik, who has represented India in 94 One Day Internationals and 32 T20 Internationals scoring 1752 and 399 runs at an economy rate of 30.2 and 33.2 respectively had last donned the Blue jersey in an ODI game against New Zealand in July 2019.

After the retirement of MS from international cricket, India is looking at younger options including the likes of Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan as the keeper of the squad. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Stalwart is all set to try out something new in his cricket career as he will be donning the commentator hat for the upcoming limited-overs series between India and England.

On February 22, Monday, Sky Sports, who have the rights of telecasting the matches between India and England, made a mega announcement regarding the inclusion of Dinesh Karthik in the commentary panel. The 35-year-old is the only Indian present in the list as the rest of the members include David Lloyd, Nasser Hussain, Ian Ward, Ebony Rainford-Brent, Michel Atherton, Rob key and Stuart Broad.

Dinesh Karthik to join the commentary panel late

With this, the wicketkeeper also joins the elite list of the Indian cricketers who have tried their hand in commentary while being active players. The list is headed by Harbhajan Singh and also features names like Gautam Gambhir, Parthiv Patel and Robin Uthappa.

However, Karthik might have to miss the initial days of limited-overs series between India and England as he is currently leading Tamil Nadu in the domestic Vijay Hazare Trophy and has promised to join the commentary panel only after fulfilling his commitments towards the Tamil Nadu side.

The league stage of Vijay Hazare Trophy will end on March 1, with Tamil Nadu playing their last fixture on February 28, however the final of the marquee event will be played on March 14. Should Tamil Nadu qualify for the second round, Karthik might have a delayed entry into the commentary box. India will lock horns against England in five T20 Internationals followed by 3 ODIs, starting from March 12 at Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad.