Innovative shots come to me naturally: Dinesh Karthik

On the back of impressive performances in the domestic circuit, Dinesh Karthik made his comeback in blue after almost three years, in the recently concluded India vs West Indies series. Although he was with the team in England during the Champions Trophy as well, a well-settled team meant Karthik had to warm the bench throughout the tournament in which India emerged as the runners-up.

But when Yuvraj Singh was injured during the West Indies tour, the Tamil Nadu batsman finally got a chance to prove his mettle. In the second match that Karthik played, he, along with Virat Kohli, scored 122 runs, in which 50 came from the 32-year-old. Later, in the lone T20 which India lost by 9 wickets, he fell two runs short of another half century.

Speaking exclusively to Times of India, Karthik spoke about how he has benefitted from playing alongside Kohli, one of the best in the business. “We didn’t exchange notes but he spoke about his experience over these years. He is honest about what he has done with his batting and shared with me a few tips. Even four years back, during the Asia Cup, he told me how he prepares before every match and how he visualises every situation. I inculcated them in my batting.” Karthik told TOI.

Influenced by Ab de Villiers 

Karthik is known for playing innovative shots and batting fearlessly. As per him, those new and random shorts are triggered by the adrenaline rush.

“Those shots are a result of adrenaline rush. When you can predict the delivery and want to upset the rhythm of a bowler, then you attempt those shots. I don’t practice those shots at nets because it is very scary. Those shots come to me naturally but I do follow how AB de Villiers uses the crease while playing those shots,” he concluded.