Young middle order batsman Dinesh Karthick said his match-winning half-century
that helped India beat the West Indies at Cuttack was crucial in
winning him a berth in the World Cup squad.
"Definitely my chances increased after I got runs (top-score
of 63) in the Cuttack game (on January 24). I really started believing then
that I will make the team. But if one year ago anyone had said so (that he would
make the team), I would have called it a big joke," said Karthick.
The 21-year-old, who has been chosen as a specialist middle
order batsman who can keep wickets, had rescued the team from a sorry-reading
66 for six by joining forces with Ajit Agarkar (40) to help India recover
and win the second tie of the four-match series.
The Chennai-born player, talking to reporters on the sidelines
of a function to unveil the new team clothing for the World Cup, however, said
the Twenty20 game in South Africa was the turning point as it provided him confidence
about his batting ability.
"In some respect that was the turning point. I realised
that I could turn a game around after that. It gave me a lot of confidence,"
said the youngster about his crucial knock of 31 which helped India score their
first win on the tour after four straight losses in the ODIs.
Karthick, who was sent in as number three from his usual number six or seven
in India's fourth and final one-day international against Sri Lanka at Visakhapatnam
and flopped, said he would definitely deliver the goods if given another chance
to bat in that slot.
"I am looking forward to the challenge (of batting at
number three). I got out to a good ball (off Dilhara Fernando). That
happens in cricket. You do get a good ball that's uncomfortable. But I will
definitely try and make sure there's no chink in my armour the next time I go
in to bat at no three," he said.
Karthick said at number six or seven a batsman should be aware and mentally
prepared to encounter three types of situations.
"Either the side is under pressure at say 110 for five, or you go out
needing to get 120 runs or so in the last twenty overs or you come in to bat
in the 40th over and have to try and get as many runs as possible. You have
to be mentally prepared to face these kinds of situations. Then anything else
you encounter should be easy (to negotiate)", he said.
The Tamil Nadu youngster said that he was enjoying fielding in front of the
wicket after having stood behind the stumps all through his career so far.
"It feels different from standing behind the wickets which I have done
right through my career. But I am enjoying it and as long as you enjoy doing
something you tend to find it that much easier to do," Karthick said.
The Chennai player credited India coach Greg Chappell
of encouraging him to take fielding in front of the wicket very seriously during
the South African tour.
"In South Africa Chappell told me 'if you work harder on your fielding
abilities you can make the (one-day) team as a batsman.' That's what I have
been doing," he said.
Karthick said he enjoyed a very healthy relationship with first
choice 'keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"I enjoy a very healthy relationship with Dhoni. Like Dhoni has said there
are four wicketkeepers in the side - Rahul Dravid, Robin Uthappa, myself and
Dhoni. Between me and Dhoni the relationship is as good as it can be. He's a
very friendly guy and I go to him for help with my batting or 'keeping,"
he said.
Kaarthick said the seniors in the team have been advising him to keep his batting
simple and not complicate things.
"I have been talking to seniors like Sachin (Tendulkar)
and Rahul (Dravid), people who I look up to and who have played the game for
a long time and undergone such situations.
"They give advice to keep my batting simple and not do things which are
complicated for myself. That itself is of great help. They also have advised
me to play my natural game," he added.
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