Dinesh Karthik recalls 'Dhoni mania': 'I made my debut before him, he then replaced me'

Veteran India cricketer Dinesh Karthik appeared on recent episode of RCB podcast and me startling revelations about his cricketing career. One of many topics Karthik shed light was on his competition with legendary Indian captain MS Dhoni for a place in team. w 37-year-old me his international debut in 2004, three months before Dhoni anunced himself to world cricket. 

Karthik debuted for India in ODIs in September 2004, before making his maiden Test appearance in vember. Dhoni n got picked a month later and scored a stunning kck of 148 runs in his second series, playing against arch-rivals Pakistan. Dhoni hardly turned back as he went on to become a mainstay for three years, before leing India to inaugural T20 World Cup win in 2007.

Meanwhile, speaking on RCB podcast, Karthik said, “I me my debut before him. We went toger on an India A tour and from re I got picked to Indian team. That was first time I played a match toger with him. I did so well that y picked me for Indian team. From re, y went on ar trip, re was a ODI tournament where he just blasted it re with boundaries and sixes. world was still getting used to something like that, it was that sort of thing. People stood up and said re is body like him. y said he's a special player”.

"He became a brand overnight"

RCB wicketkeeper batter furr ded that he did return to team but ‘Dhoni mania’ was too big by n, as he struggled to find a place. “I was chasing excellence. I was constantly on path of becoming best batter in world. Dhoni was re, he wasn't re - that wasn't my lookout. He was doing very well for himself. I knew that he h settled in all team. And he me mistake. y sent him up an order, he got a hundred in ODI. He n went to Test cricket and scored 85. He kept brilliantly. Most importantly, he became a brand overnight. People were after him. He was huge right from outset. I remained under study but I was always on lookout for opportunities,” he furr explained.

Karthik remained on and off Indian team for years and most recently me a stunning comeback into squ ahe of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. After joining RCB for IPL 2022 season, veteran cricketer was among top scorers for team, which earned him an India recall. He n went on to play for India at T20 World Cup 2022, at of 37.