The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : I will do well in the rest of the series: Kaarthick

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 22, 2005

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Sport - Cricket

I will do well in the rest of the series: Kaarthick

By K.C. Vijaya Kumar

BANGALORE, MARCH 21. Confidence was always a key ingredient in Dinesh Kaarthick's kitbag. It reflected in his demeanour both in front and behind the stumps. And now with a 93 that melded solidity with flair and a smart leg-side stumping of Younis Khan under his belt, Kaarthick is understandably elated.

The morning after India's 195-run victory at Kolkata, Kaarthick was busy working out at the National Cricket Academy gym inside the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the venue for the third Test commencing here on Thursday. The warm glow of his exploits at Eden Gardens still lingered and Kaarthick said, "I feel the knock (93) came at the right time and it eases a lot of pressure. Yes it was a good confidence builder and hopefully I will do well in the rest of the series."

Kaarthick may have laid to rest a few queries about his batting ability but he is aware that his primary role is to excel as a wicket-keeper. "The knock did also lend confidence to my wicket keeping in the second innings but there is always scope for improvement. I need to work on a few key areas. I just have to perform well consistently. It is important to score runs and do well in my primary job — wicket-keeping and hopefully my performance will take care of the rest," Kaarthick said.

On his future in one-dayers, Kaarthick said, "I am not thinking about all that. The first priority is to perform well in this series and hopefully I will get selected in the one-dayers. Right now we are leading 1-0 and the momentum is with us and we might do a repeat of Eden Gardens."

Meanwhile, it was a rest day for both the Indian and Pakistani teams and a majority of the players opted to relax in their hotel rooms. Earlier in the morning, Indian team coach John Wright had a look at the Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch. Wright then returned to the hotel while Kaarthick stayed back to pump iron and get a feel of the venue where he used to play in the junior and inter-academy tournaments a few summers back while his mother watched from the sidelines after a tiring drive from Chennai.

Times have changed and this week when Kaarthick makes his way to the middle, a deafening applause and the burden of expectations will trail him. Kaarthick however has no complaints. It is something the 19-year old has dreamed all his life.

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