India vs England Test Series, 2018: Dinesh Karthik Says, ‘The Captain and the Coach Are Leading Us From the Front’ (Watch Video)

Dinesh Karthik is back into the Indian Test team; courtesy, a freak injury to Wriddhiman Saha. As India is all set to play their first Test match against England from August 1, Karthik said that he was excited to be back in whites after a long time. He also recalled about his last tour in England, in 2007, in this tell-all interview.

Talking ahead of the five-match Test series, Karthik said, “I am playing Test cricket after a long time, so I am really looking forward towards it. It’s a great challenge to come to England and play well. So, like any other player, I am as excited as I can be.”

The Indian team has had a bittersweet tour so far, with a win in T20I series in Ireland and a win and a loss in T20I and ODI series, respectively, in England. Speaking about the mood in the Indian camp, Karthik said, “We can see the captain and the coach leading us from the front; with a lot of positive energy and lot of positive vibes. At this point, the mood in the camp is upbeat.”

Karthik, who is in some terrific form in the last year or two, said, “There is some nervous excitement; it is obviously a big test series for both the teams... Really looking forward towards it. I am sure with two good teams; it will be a good contest.”

Watch Dinesh Karthik Latest Interview, Ahead of India vs England Test Series, 2018:

Remembering his previous tour in the country, which happened a decade back in 2007, Karthik said, “(The tour was) One of the highlights of my Test career. All the three matches saw India and England play the same XI throughout the three-match series. There was a lot of banter, a lot of arguments, and a lot of heated moments in the Test series. But it was all played in good spirit.”

The Indian team won the three-match series against England 1-0, in 2007. Recalling the historic win, Karthik said, “We saved the game in Lord’s. We went on to win one in Nottingham. And in the Surrey game, AK got a hundred, and we posted such a big score that they had no way to make a match out it.”

It was an excellent tour for the wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik. He scored 263 runs in three Tests with an average of 43.83. Karthik said, “It was one of the highlights of my career as a player. In my Test career, it was the biggest moment. I had a great series personally, but special performances from a lot of players; the fast players, stood up and were swinging the ball both the ways and troubled their batsmen.”

Will Karthik be able to better his previous performance is for time to tell! However, the Indian team would be banking on him heavily; considering that he was the highest scorer (with 82 runs) in the only tour-match against Essex which ended in a draw. Stay tuned with us for all the latest updates about 2018 India vs England Test Series!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2018 10:36 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).