'I don't feel out of place'
Dinesh Karthik on his first test for India
31-Aug-2005
India have tried eight wicketkeepers over the last five years, but none has inspired confidence as Nayan Mongia did through the '90s. The latest was Dinesh Karthik, just 19, who emerged unscathed from a fiery baptism on a Mumbai dustbowl where balls spun, squirted and jumped in every direction. He spoke to Siddhartha Vaidyanathan about the game, and was ecstatic about that remarkable win:
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The dressing-room atmosphere must have been sombre on the eve of the Mumbai Test?
Far from it, in fact. The intensity levels were surprisingly high even though we had lost the series. Everyone was really desperate to win. There was still a lot of pride at stake and we knew it was our last chance in the series. The practice sessions were highly charged.
Far from it, in fact. The intensity levels were surprisingly high even though we had lost the series. Everyone was really desperate to win. There was still a lot of pride at stake and we knew it was our last chance in the series. The practice sessions were highly charged.
And are you a part of the team now, or do you still feel you're a newcomer?
I have got used to the dressing-room atmosphere now. I was there with them on a one-month tour to Holland and England, and that really helped. I am feeling much more at home now. Everyone in the team is approachable. Harbhajan [Singh] and Zaheer [Khan] are always cracking jokes, and it's great fun to have them around. I am pretty close to Anil [Kumble], but everyone been really helpful with advice.
I have got used to the dressing-room atmosphere now. I was there with them on a one-month tour to Holland and England, and that really helped. I am feeling much more at home now. Everyone in the team is approachable. Harbhajan [Singh] and Zaheer [Khan] are always cracking jokes, and it's great fun to have them around. I am pretty close to Anil [Kumble], but everyone been really helpful with advice.
How did you prepare yourself for the big test?
The day before any match, I take it easy. The day before the Mumbai game was no different. I just practised a few catches with John Wright and tried to stay focused on the game. Then I got a feel of how the spinners bowled - I asked Anil, Harbhajan and [Murali] Kartik to bowl ten balls each. I had watched a bit of the first three Tests and observed how the spinners bowled in them. So I had a few pointers. The day before the game, all the four debutants had lunch with Sunil Gavaskar and Rahul Dravid. They told us to relax and just not worry too much.
The day before any match, I take it easy. The day before the Mumbai game was no different. I just practised a few catches with John Wright and tried to stay focused on the game. Then I got a feel of how the spinners bowled - I asked Anil, Harbhajan and [Murali] Kartik to bowl ten balls each. I had watched a bit of the first three Tests and observed how the spinners bowled in them. So I had a few pointers. The day before the game, all the four debutants had lunch with Sunil Gavaskar and Rahul Dravid. They told us to relax and just not worry too much.
I try and watch the ball right from the time the bowler starts his run-up. I observe the wrist position when he is about to deliver
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And on the first day ...
Unfortunately it rained. I badly wanted the game to start on time. I was a little nervous to start off with, but the tension was released with the four off the very first ball. I was all right after that. Rahul told me, "You are a good batsman. Just don't panic and stay there with me." I managed just 10, and got bowled when I looked to hit the ball too hard. But I didn't feel out of place. That was important.
Unfortunately it rained. I badly wanted the game to start on time. I was a little nervous to start off with, but the tension was released with the four off the very first ball. I was all right after that. Rahul told me, "You are a good batsman. Just don't panic and stay there with me." I managed just 10, and got bowled when I looked to hit the ball too hard. But I didn't feel out of place. That was important.
Were you nervous when you began keeping as well?
A bit. It was the first time that I had kept to Zaheer - he wasn't there for the Champions Trophy. Harbhajan started off at the other end and I was a little tense. I had never kept to such high-quality bowling. And I had never kept on such a pitch. I felt better after a few overs.
A bit. It was the first time that I had kept to Zaheer - he wasn't there for the Champions Trophy. Harbhajan started off at the other end and I was a little tense. I had never kept to such high-quality bowling. And I had never kept on such a pitch. I felt better after a few overs.
Considering all three of them are different spinners, how do you read them?
I try and watch the ball right from the time the bowler starts his run-up. I observe the wrist position when he is about to deliver. All three spinners have their characteristic styles. With Anil, I have to see if it's a legspinner, top-spinner or googly. I have to closely watch the seam of the ball - scrambled means legspin, otherwise it will be delivered along the seam. Bhajji [Harbhajan] changes his wrist positioning when he bowls the straighter one. Kartik pushes his arm-ball through so that it skids and hurries on. So these are the basic things to keep in mind. Wrist position is the most important thing for a spinner. Even when I am batting, I try and watch the wrist.
I try and watch the ball right from the time the bowler starts his run-up. I observe the wrist position when he is about to deliver. All three spinners have their characteristic styles. With Anil, I have to see if it's a legspinner, top-spinner or googly. I have to closely watch the seam of the ball - scrambled means legspin, otherwise it will be delivered along the seam. Bhajji [Harbhajan] changes his wrist positioning when he bowls the straighter one. Kartik pushes his arm-ball through so that it skids and hurries on. So these are the basic things to keep in mind. Wrist position is the most important thing for a spinner. Even when I am batting, I try and watch the wrist.
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What's the difference between facing the bowler while batting and keeping?
While batting, you are trying to hit the ball. But when you keep, you try and think that the batsman is going to miss every ball and aim to collect it with soft hands. Just like a batsman, you tend to lose concentration while keeping. I remember missing a couple of balls which went for four byes off Harbhajan and Anil.
While batting, you are trying to hit the ball. But when you keep, you try and think that the batsman is going to miss every ball and aim to collect it with soft hands. Just like a batsman, you tend to lose concentration while keeping. I remember missing a couple of balls which went for four byes off Harbhajan and Anil.
Both were extremely tough ones ...
One flew past over head at good pace, while another hit a hole on the pitch and went past. It was a tough pitch but if your concentration level is at its peak, you will collect even those. I managed to take some tough balls down the leg side.
One flew past over head at good pace, while another hit a hole on the pitch and went past. It was a tough pitch but if your concentration level is at its peak, you will collect even those. I managed to take some tough balls down the leg side.
And the stumping of Clarke?
It was my first stumping and it felt good. Nothing much to say, actually [chuckles].
It was my first stumping and it felt good. Nothing much to say, actually [chuckles].
Your confidence must be really high after keeping on that kind of a pitch?
True. I have carried the same kind of confidence into this Ranji game [against Hyderabad] where my body language has been positive.
True. I have carried the same kind of confidence into this Ranji game [against Hyderabad] where my body language has been positive.