Is one bad series enough to dump poor Karthik?

Our contention is that leaving Dinesh Karthik from Australia tour party will be unfair.
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He was the toast of the nation after India won the test series in England. In his first six tests since a tremendous comeback as opener against South Africa (A chance he got due to Dhoni’s injury), Dinesh Karthik made big strides, stopped only by the series against Pakistan.

He was the opener the team was looking for. Scores of 63, 38*, 56, 22, 129, 5, 60, 77, 22, 91, 8 in six tests of three away series after resurrection in Cape town had left Karthik with an average of 57 for his 571 runs from 11 innings (one unbeaten knock).

Five sixties and one hundred in away series at a conversion rate of one fifty plus knock per two innings is not every batsman can boast of. It was creditable for a makeshift opener.

But then came the Pakistan series. A total disappointment with Karthik averaging just 13 from his five innings so far (The fifth day play will commence one hour from now).

Can we drop this natural wicketkeeper-cum-makeshift opener just because one series has gone bad for him, even if it happens to be the home series against Pakistan. Give a break. Others in the team have leaner runs against quality opponents before.

Then as keeper Karthik’s value is tremendous. There were 35 byes in 76 extras conceded by India on a track of variable (read low) bounce where Indian bowlers sprayed the ball in all directions but at the wicket! Imagine Dravid in place of Dhoni on this treacherous track for a keeper, trying to hold fort for nearly five sessions.

Selectors will need a cushion against Dhoni’s failure. And will need to recognize Karthik’s value as an opening batsmen in overseas conditions since January 2007. Just one bad series should not be enough to dump him. That will be grave injustice.