Indian cricketer and Kolkata Knight Riders captain Dinesh Karthik has revealed that he was hoping to be picked by Chennai Super Kings in the inaugural Indian Premier League in 2008, but was shocked when the franchise went for Mahendra Singh Dhoni over him.
Dinesh Karthik, speaking with Harsha Bhogle on ‘Cricbuzz In Conversation’, said he was convinced that the Chennai-based franchise would pick him as he had been one of the few cricketers from Tamil Nadu who had played for India. However, when CSK bid for Dhoni over him, Karthik said he was shocked and it was the “biggest dagger to my heart”.
“In 2008, I was in Australia, the auction was happening, and in the lead up to that, Dinesh Karthik the person was convinced that the biggest name from Tamil Nadu playing for the country. What are they going to do? For sure, they (CSK) are going to pick me. Question is whether or not they are going to make me the captain or not, is what was going on in my head,” he said during the chat.
“The first name I saw picked was M.S. Dhoni for 1.5 million. He was sitting right down the corner from me. He didn’t even tell me a word that he was going to be picked by CSK. I guess he didn’t know, but that was like the biggest dagger to my heart,” he said.
Karthik said that he had hoped CSK would pick him at some point, but he’s still waiting.
“I thought they’re going to pick me later. But it’s been 13 years and I’m waiting for that elusive call from CSK,” he laughed and said.
The current KKR skipper was picked up by Delhi Daredevils (Delhi Capitals) in the inaugural IPL. He went on to represent Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kings XI Punjab and Gujarat Lions before moving to the Kolkata franchise in 2018.
