Dinesh Karthik to replace injured Manish Pandey for Champions Trophy:- Wicket keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik has been drafted into the Indian squad as replacement for injured Manish Pandey for upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2017.

Dinesh Karthik had a superb domestic season scoring 704 runs in Ranji Trophy at an average of 54 and 607 runs in Vijay Hazare trophy at an average of 86. He had a pretty good time with Gujarat Lions scoring 361 runs at an average of 36 in IPL 2017.

Manish Pandey has scored 396 runs in 14 matches for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League this season. In 14 matches this season, Dinesh Karthik has amassed 361 Runs for GL.

Dinesh Karthik was going through a purple patch before the last Champions Trophy in June 2013. After a successful IPL campaign for Mumbai Indians, his two hundreds in two warm up games grabbed him his place in the side. However, he failed to make a major impact in the tournament.

Dinesh Karthik is making a comeback into the Indian ODI squad after a gap of 3 years. He last played for India in a One Day International in Asia Cup  against Afghanistan at Dhaka on 5 March 2014.

Dinesh Karthik has played 71 ODIS for India scored 1313 runs at a below par average of 28. He has never scored a hundred for India in ODI cricket. He has been in and out of the side constantly thus never being able to cement his spot for a longer duration.

The Champions Trophy 2017 gives him another opportunity to redeem himself as a batsman and perhaps make a significant contribution for India.

– by Atharva Apte