On This Day In 2018: Dinesh Karthik’s Last-Ball Six Seals India’s Nidahas Trophy Win
On March 18, 2018, Dinesh Karthik hit a last-ball six to win the Nidahas Trophy for India against Bangladesh. Karthik scored 29 runs off 8 balls, earning Player of the Match in the dramatic final.
On This Day in 2018: Seven years ago, Indian wicketkeeper batter Dinesh Karthik scored a six to seal the Nidahas Trophy for the Men in Blue. While Karthik’s international career never really took off, he still boasts multiple game-winning displays for India. He produced one such knock on March 18 in the 2018 Nidahas Trophy final.
The event was a tri-nation T20 series involving India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The stage was set for a dramatic showdown between the Rohit Sharma-led side and the Tigers in the tournament’s ultimate game. The match eventually culminated in a last-ball victory for India, courtesy of a Player of the Match performance from Karthik.
related stories
Leading up to the final, India and Bangladesh had displayed commendable performances. They navigated through multiple challenges in the tri-nation series. After some blockbuster games, both teams prepared to battle it out for the coveted trophy at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Bangladesh batted first in the Nidahas Trophy 2018 final, setting a 166-run total in their innings. The opening duo of Tamim Iqbal and Litton Das failed to make much of an impact, departing within five overs of play. Sabbir Rahman soaked in all the pressure and put up an unrelenting 50-ball 77 to keep Bangladesh in the game.
He smashed seven fours and four sixes before Mehidy Hasan Miraz added another quick-fire 7-ball 19 in the dying stages of the innings.
India started off the chase well but soon lost Shikhar Dhawan in the third over. Suresh Raina was dismissed for a duck in the next over to further complicate the innings for the Men in Blue.
Rohit Sharma stepped up with a half-century to ensure India were on track for a victory. After a back-and-forth affair, India required five runs off the final delivery to seal the win.
That is when Dinesh Karthik stepped up and bludgeoned Soumya Sarkar for a six. The full-length delivery towards outside off was not the easiest ball to put away. Karthik, however, dispatched the ball with speed and power for a flat six over covers.
He finished the game with 29 runs in eight balls, having hit two fours and three sixes.
The striking aspect of Dinesh Karthik’s last-ball heroics in Colombo was the lack of predetermination. The Indian batter stood composed when the final delivery was released. Seeing Karthik put an end to the pulse-pounding affair, India coach Ravi Shastri rushed to the ground in relief and joy.
The Nidahas Trophy final will forever be remembered as a night of high drama when Karthik etched his name in cricket folklore.
- Location :
- First Published: