The matches where Dinesh Karthik played in, we all know how the conditions were and how they bowled. It can happen to the best, but it's not an excuse. Dinesh will bounce back strongly," he added
Dinesh Karthik is bowled by England's Sam Curran during the second Test. Pic/Getty Images
Young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who replaced the under-performing Dinesh Karthik, for the third Test against England at Trent Bridge, grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Pant, 20, became the first Indian 'keeper to claim five dismissals in his first innings on Test debut. With the willow, the southpaw became the first Indian to get off the mark with a six in Test cricket.
Pant's inclusion, which has so far proved to be successful, spells doom for the experienced Karthik, 33, who was named in the Test side after regular glovesman Wriddhiman Saha was ruled out due to a shoulder injury. Karthik failed to capitalise on his spot, registering scores of 0, 20, 1 and 0 in four innings he played in the first two Tests.
Quizzed if Karthik should have been given a longer rope in the series, his mentor, Abhishek Nayar said: "It's a team management's decision. He has played in two Test matches where conditions were really tough and he has not done well. He played one decent innings. It's not like he has played bad shots, he got out to good deliveries. Failure can happen to any cricketer. Not every story is going to be a fairytale."
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The veteran all-rounder reckoned that except skipper Virat Kohli, the other Indian batsmen have not done well in the series so far. "As far as this tour is concerned, I have absolutely zero disappointment. I am only proud of him (Karthik). He has done what he can do best. It obviously has not worked out. In this Test [at Trent Bridge], people are getting runs, and Dinesh is not playing. Whether or not he would do well, that is only a question mark that is going to be left unanswered. The matches where DK played in, we all know how the conditions were and how they bowled. It can happen to the best, but it's not an excuse. Dinesh will bounce back strongly," he added.
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