‘Absolute Gold’, Dinesh Karthik Sledging Nasser Hussain Makes Him Instant Fan Favourite

To the delight of cricket fans all across the globe, the World Test Championship final finally got off the mark after a delay of around 24 hours at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. 

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bowl, with a view to making most of the moisture in the surface and the overcast conditions.

With rain playing spoilsport on the opening day, the English weather became the focal point of most conversations, and rightly so. 

But when the match finally began on Saturday, most people thought the focus would shift on the two sides but to everyone’s surprise nothing of that sort happened.

To all those in India googling about weather, it’s still windy and pouring in here.
Rain Gods are not in mood to miss the first day!#WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/1c3befwAPT

— DK (@DineshKarthik) June 18, 2021

In fact, the first thing that started trending once the game began was Dinesh Karthik, who was part of the star-studded commentary panel picked by the ICC. 

Karthik is still an active cricketer for Tamil Nadu and IPL franchise KKR. So, quite naturally, his inclusion ahead of some of the well-established commentators came as a big surprise to many.

However, given his performance behind the microphone, fans think this was one of the best decisions the ICC has made regarding the WTC final. 

From his pin-point analysis of the game to taking on fellow commentators, the Indian supporters loved it all.

© Reuters

Despite sharing the comm box with some of the greats in the business like Nasser Hussain, Ian Bishop and Sunil Gavaskar, Karthik didn’t show any nerves and spoke his mind. At times, he even showcased his witty side and the one instance that fans admired the most, was when he sledged his fellow commentator Nasser Hussain.

Nasser was apparently praising Rohit Sharma’s positive intent against short-pitch deliveries and his ability to pull the ball on its merit and also the way he uses his feet against spin bowling. 

The reply Karthik gave was what made him a fan favourite.

“Just opposite of what you did,” Karthik replied cheekily.

Dinesh Karthik just walks into the comms box and just starts bossing the game. pic.twitter.com/vFKDKuWoz8

— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) June 19, 2021

Dinesh Karthik upping the commentary game, more importantly just get into direct points and at times cheeky as well. #INDvNZ

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 19, 2021

So far the best shot in #WTC2021 has come from @DineshKarthik in the commentary box.

— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) June 19, 2021

Enjoying @DineshKarthik in the commentary box , breath of fresh air , happy soul . Very important for these times . Well done mate

— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) June 19, 2021

How about @DineshKarthik‘s cheeky digs at his commentary partners? 🏼#INDvNZ #WTC21 #WTCFinal

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) June 19, 2021

Dinesh Karthik in the commentary box. ABSOLUTE GOLD !!! #WTC2021 #IndiaVsNewZealand

— V l N Δ M R Δ (@PansareVinamra) June 19, 2021

Shubman Gill & Rohit Sharma out in the middle but it’s Dinesh Karthik who’s had the best start for India so far #INDvNZ #WTC21 #WTCFinal2021

— Shyam (@shyamtalks) June 19, 2021

Good on @DineshKarthik to acknowledge India’s tireless throwdown specialists by attributing the Indian batsmen looking good against the short ball to them facing the sidearm a lot in the nets #WTCFinal

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) June 19, 2021

Well, @DineshKarthik always opened well in England 🙂 https://t.co/nJaFeQidNN

— Nikhil (@CricCrazyNIKS) June 19, 2021

When you hear Dinesh Karthik and not Murali Kartik. #WTCFinal21
#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/HnLk88CodB

— Myra (@the_indianstuff) June 19, 2021

Dinesh Karthik bossed the commentary game so far!
On point, cheeky when needed ..

Nasser Hussain be like:
“Doull bhi hai box mei, mera hi sledge kyu .. pic.twitter.com/NWuLgxeDbm

— ᴠɪɴᴀʏ (@dramaticdude_) June 19, 2021

Dinesh Karthik will surely be the next big name in TV commentary. Rich cultured voice…great sense of humour. The best to come out of India in a long, long time. #INDvNZ #WTCFinal2021 #TestChampionship

— Rameshwar Singh (@RSingh6969a) June 19, 2021

When you hear Dinesh Karthik and not Murali Kartik. #WTCFinal21
#INDvNZ #dineshkarthik pic.twitter.com/FhBnCxckXF

— Trollmama_ (@Trollmama3) June 19, 2021

Nasser Hussain when Dinesh Karthik sledges him in Comms: pic.twitter.com/b0KOoIiOZB

— Hemant Kumar (@SportsCuppa) June 19, 2021

#WTC2021Final #IndiaVsNewZealand#WTCFinal21 with Dinesh Karthik upping the commentary game, is just like cherry on the cake!!

Also #dineshkarthik right now toNasser Hussain pic.twitter.com/Zdal2ClLkn

— Debanshi Biswas (@BiswasDebanshi) June 19, 2021

Nasser Hussain: Rohit is a great puller of the short ball. Uses his feet well against spin. Shows positive intent.
Dinesh Karthik: Yes, exactly the opposite of you. pic.twitter.com/7g24xc3MZZ

— Arjun Darji (@ArjunDarji8) June 19, 2021 

Apart from Karthik’s superb start, Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill saw off the opening hour’s play and added 62 runs for the opening wicket, giving the side a solid start.  

With a day lost already, fans would still be hoping to see a full game as the ICC has kept June 23 as the reserve day, but it will come in effect only if the match is within the possibility of an outcome.