It was the irony of Indian cricket that the batting figures of the two wicketkeepers in the race for selection for the first Test against Pakistan were discussed more than their glove work.
On that criterion alone, the adventurous Mahendra Singh Dhoni should have won the spot, but to the selectors' credit they decided to stick with the 19-year-old Dinesh Karthik. That's because though the young Tamil Nadu 'keeper has traversed between the brilliant and ordinary in his brief international career, he still scores over Dhoni behind the wickets.
"I expected somewhat to be selected, but I wasn't so sure," Karthik told rediff.com from Chennai over the phone after he was picked for the first Test at Mohali Test.
The atmosphere at home was building up and the media was closing in, but with another week to go for the match, Karthik is determined to keep himself free of nerves right now.
"There is still one week before the match starts. I will try to relax a bit and hope to do well in the Duleep Trophy game [for South Zone against North in Indore, starting on March 1].
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"I am excited as well as little nervous. Any match against Pakistan is very important and I know people will now be watching me closely. There will definitely be some pressure but, hopefully, that will bring the best out of me," said Karthik.
Karthik made his debut on the toughest of pitches at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai against Australia last November and came out almost unscathed. His performance was also acknowledged by skipper Rahul Dravid, standing in for an injured Sourav Ganguly, and leg spinner Anil Kumble.
"I am really looking forward to keep to Kumble against Pakistan," he said.
The selectors had preferred Dhoni over Karthik for the One-Day International series in Bangladesh last December and the Jharkhand 'keeper has since impressed with his batting.
Dhoni scored a crucial 102 not out for India Seniors against India 'B' in the Challenger series and has been consistent with the bat in domestic games as well.
Karthik, on the other hand, didn't have much to show in the Challengers and has scored only one fifty in the Deodhar and Duleep domestic zonal competition.
"In the Duleep and Deodhar Trophy matches I had a few unlucky dismissals," said Karthik, defending his not-too-good showing.
The impending need for wicketkeepers contributing more with the bat is not lost on him.
"I hope to bat a lot better in this Test [at Mohali] and cement my place in the side," added Karthik.
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