With 34 runs required in the last two overs, Dinesh Karthik slowed the boundaries in defeating Bangladesh and winning the Nidahas Trophy.
On this day three years ago, wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik’s Karstani helped India snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in the final of the Nidahas Trophy against Bangladesh at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. India beat Bangladesh by four wickets in the final match of the tournament as Karthik’s flat-six on the last ball of the match took the Rohit Sharma-led team home. In the final, Bangladesh had a challenging score of 166 runs in their scheduled 20 overs. In response, Team India found themselves at 98 for the loss of four wickets. Manish Pandey’s wicket in the 18th over and Vijay Shankar’s slack innings increased the pressure as the required run-rate increased.
Karthik bowled and attacked Bangladesh’s bowling, needing 34 runs in the last two overs. The wicketkeeper-batsman hit the first three balls with fours as India scored 22 runs off the penalty over.
On the last ball, when the Men in Blue needed five runs, Karthik smashed an extra six to give India the victory that no one could have imagined. His eight-ball innings included two fours and three sixes and were adjudged Man of the Match.
Karthik will now be seen in action for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) starting on 9 April.
KKR did not qualify for the playoffs last season and Karthik was dismissed for 169 runs in 14 matches. The cash-rich league will lock horns with Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). While KKR will field against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their first match of the tournament on 11 April.
