DK-MSD-Dravid

Picture Credit: Twitter

Tamil Nadu cricketer Dinesh Karthik's international career never really took off as it had promised. While he made his debut for Team India way back in 2004 during the home Tests against Australia, at 36, he doesn't seem likely to make a comeback in the national setup having last donned the Indian blues in the 2019 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand.

In recent times, DK can be seen wearing the commentator's hat for a broadcast network with his style striking a chord with a section of the fans. Except for a controversial statement, he has received the appreciation of fans and well-wishers from all over the world. Meanwhile, Karthik has revealed how MS Dhoni and Rahul Dravid supported him during the early part of his career.

The veteran cricketer recalled how he was asked to open the batting since he had a breakthrough season in domestic cricket. He shared his opinion on former India opener Aakash Chopra's YouTube Channel.

You have the skills to be a pure batter: Dravid to DK 

"I never brood over things. My nature has always been – what is next? That has always been my constant question to myself. At that point, it was to become a batter. There was a spot in the middle-order and then as an opener. One thing that people, including Dhoni, would say – ‘you’re so talented as a batsman, you can open,’" he said.

"So that gave me a lot of confidence and then Rahul Dravid also said you have the skills to be a pure batter. So I went to domestic cricket, scored lots of runs, then got an opportunity as an opener and did well," he added.

Dhoni was a once-in-a-generation kind of a cricketer

Much like Karthik, Dhoni also made his way into international cricket in 2004. Dhoni's maiden appearance saw him get out on a duck after being run-out at the striker’s end. However, ever since he announced his arrival at the world stage by scoring a century against Pakistan in Vizag, there was no stopping the former India captain.

Karthik later termed Dhoni as once in a generational cricketer.

"When Dhoni came in, he took the complete country by storm and I knew that door was closed. Keeper-batsman is always a decade-long job. Syed Kirmani was there, then Kiran More. Dhoni was a once-in-a-generation kind of a cricketer," he said.