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On a happy wicket
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"I am positive from the word go," says Dinesh Kaarthick who could make it to the Indian team as wicket-keeper batsman
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LIFE CAN be astonishing. Here, paths crisscross, sometimes most unexpectedly. Dinesh Kaarthick realises this for sure.
In fact, he could be singing "That's the way it is," lines from a Celine Dion number that seldom cease to inspire him.
He was just four, when Sachin Tendulkar made his famous Test debut against Pakistan in 1989. And just the other day, Kaarthick was face to face with Tendulkar - in the same game!
"It was amazing. It was great to watch Tendulkar," admits Kaarthick, who figured in a practice match involving the India probables in Chennai ahead of the Asia Cup.
And in the days to come, there is a distinct possibility that Kaarthick could break through into the Indian team as a wicket-keeper batsman. "There is always a chance for a wicket-keeper batsman. Right now, I am doing well, it is up to the selectors," says the teenager who has an air of confidence about him.
When Kaarthick leaves Indian shores this month, as part of the India `A' squad on the twin tours of Kenya and Zimbabwe, he will have to make the best of the opportunity.
"Besides enjoying the tour, I will have to learn from it. Give it my best shot," says the lad who has already proved his ability to thrive in adversity.
It certainly was crisis time for Tamil Nadu in as big a match as the Ranji Trophy final at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium this year, with the host losing its first five batsmen for just over a hundred on the first day.
But then, the dapper Kaarthick breathed defiance, never wasting an opportunity to score, rallying with the tail, and racing to an undefeated 109 that earned him much praise, as much for his ability with the bat as for his temperament. "It was a key game. I stayed with the tail-enders. Kept my cool. Rotated the strike."
For someone who made his Ranji Trophy debut at 17, in 2002, Kaarthick has taken some giant strides. His unbeaten 88 in a crunch situation against Uttar Pradesh at Chepauk, in only his second match, provided us a glimpse of his potential.
"When you bat in the middle-order, you get to face plenty of pressure situations. You also get chances to bail the side out of trouble" - he wants to derive the positives out of a role, again a good sign in a youngster.
With the willow, he tends to play strokes, whether making room to cut square off the wicket - his favourite stroke - clipping, or essaying the lofted shots. He is comfortable against both pace and spin, although sterner tests await him. "I am positive from the word go. That is my strength."
With the gloves, Kaarthick has come a long way from someone who was rather stiff in his methods to being more compact and safe. Not a tall man, he has learnt to stay low, such a crucial element in wicket keeping.
Kaarthik says a weeklong camp for keepers conducted by former India stumper Kiran More helped him immensely. "Everyone makes some mistakes early on. I am much better now." He first began `keeping nine years back, liked the job, and has continued in the role since. His favourite wicket-keeper batsman? No surprises here - Adam Gilchrist.
Cricket has given him several opportunities to learn. Among them was the under-19 World Cup event in Bangladesh, an experience he cherishes greatly, though India's run ended in the semi-finals.
As a schoolboy cricketer in Chennai, he excelled for Don Bosco and then St. Bede's before being drafted into the Globe Trotters side in the first division league. "The Trotters have been of tremendous help to me."
Former State batsman M. Senthilnathan, player-cum-coach at Trotters, has been a huge influence on Kaarthick. "He has guided me over the last four years. He knows my batting," he says.
Kaarthick's father Krishna Kumar, a former cricketer himself, has been a pillar of strength to the cricketer. "He once told me, `Always give hundred per cent.' I have never forgotten that."
Kaarthick is always someone who seeks advice. Recently he approached Rahul Dravid for advice on methods to prepare for a match. "It was extremely useful."
Kaarthick's goals are "Play for India. Be as consistent as possible." He makes it sound simple, like when he is humming "That's the way it is." Life's also a song.
S. DINAKAR
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