Spinner Murali Karthik sees a sense of destiny in his call-up to the test team. The talented spinner Murali Karthik had just begun to do well as a left-arm spinner four years ago when life went haywire. His mother died, leaving Karthik and the rest of the family without an emotional bond. A massive loss to the entire family, and Karthik, of course, who loves his mother so much.
That is also when Karthik decided to take the reins of his destiny. From then on, till he got the magical call last month to national colors, Karthik slogged away for his team Railway in the domestic circuit. Knowing that his time will come. He did it for his mother. She wanted me to be an academician, but she used to be thrilled by my success in cricket. Karthik recounts. Tragedy uprooted the family from New Delhi.
Murali Karthik faltered, unable to bear the loss, and returned to his native Chennai, leaving his son, with relatives in Delhi so that he could follow his dream. Eventually, this move paid off. Murali Karthik was very attached to his mother, and her death shattered him. But his father was very supportive and helped him out of the trauma, says former Indian great left-arm spinner Bishan Singh Bedi, who knows the family well.
Murali Karthik realized that Delhi was to be his cricket nursery. He had grown up in Chennai, but his cricket career took off only after coming to Delhi, where he trained under Bishan Singh Bedi and former Test spinner Maninder Singh. Therefore, the great Bishan Singh Bedi advised him to move to Chennai with his dad, but Karthik was adamant.
Murali Karthik feels he had a great baptism in test cricket against South Africa, but his mentors feel that he still has a long way to go. He has made the grade, but now he has to make a mark. A real Murali Karthik mark, emphasizes Bedi. That will come with tough tours to South Africa and England.
Therefore, only six wickets in two test matches are not the best indicator of the enormous potential of the 22-year-old left-arm spinner. To top it all, he has mental toughness, which is a rarity amongst Indian youngsters. For instance, he came back into form after having an ordinary first session in the Bengaluru Test match. A bad opening session can turn out to be a nightmare for youngsters who are not level-headed and strong.
Maninder Sing, who observed him from the commentary box during the two tests, says: “Knowing Karthik, I feel he could have done better. But even Ian Chappell and Barry Richards were impressed with his temperament. For a debutant to correct his mistakes within a day denotes class.
Incidentally, it was his gusty batting in the first Test at Mumbai that gave him the initial confidence. Murali Karthik along with lower-order batsman Ajit Agarkar, defied Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock to raise 49 runs, the highest partnership of the Indian innings.
That inning saw an interesting encounter between Karthik and Pollock. When Shaun Pollock hurled a bouncer at him, Karthik, who was batting at No. 10, did not flinch but merely smiled back. This rattled the bowler. He was frustrated because we didn’t look like getting out. And when he eventually got my wicket, he remarked, now it’s my turn to smile, says Karthik.
It’s a fact that Karthik didn’t find a place in the Delhi Ranji team despite sterling performances at the junior level. He finally got his break with Minnows Railways and instantly made his mark. Railways coach Vinod Sharma is pleased that Karthik got his due in the end, ‘though it was belated-.
Murali Karthik feels hurt about not making it to the One-day squad for Sharjah but adds. “I have to take it in a positive manner.’ But Bedi is rather happy that his One-day debut has been delayed; he will hate the basics of spin howling. The nature of One-day cricket is such that spinners tend to fire the hall in rather than fly it, which is the key. First, let him establish himself in the Test Team.
Karthik is, however, philosophical about his success, I believe in his abilities. I may have been in the reckoning since the last two seasons, but I took the rejection in stride. It only made me more determined: Manta distinguishes himself by his mature behavior. What is noteworthy is that he respects his rivals and does not get drawn into necessary controversies. Source: Manish Kumar.
