Untold Stories: Why Dinesh Karthik Got Angry with Rohit Sharma in the Nidahas Trophy?

While the celebrations lit up the stadium, the atmosphere inside the dressing room had its own tension. Karthik, who was brought in as the designated finisher, was reportedly upset with Rohit Sharma’s decision to send him lower down the order. He felt he should have batted earlier, especially when the team needed stability in the chase. Let’s look deeper into what happened behind the scenes.

Was Dinesh Karthik Truly Upset with Rohit Sharma During the Match?

The Nidahas Trophy final in March 2018 was a night when Indian cricket witnessed one of its most dramatic finishes. Played in Colombo against Bangladesh, the game was expected to be a comfortable chase for India, but it turned into a nerve-wracking contest that produced a new hero. Dinesh Karthik, who had been part of Indian cricket for more than a decade but had rarely enjoyed the limelight, carved his name into history with an innings that is still remembered for its brilliance and calm under pressure. India was set a target of 167 runs, which looked manageable on paper. The team began steadily, but wickets at crucial stages unsettled the chase.

By the end of the 18th over, the scoreboard read 133 for 5. India still needed 34 runs from just 12 deliveries, and the match was slipping away. At this stage, Dinesh Karthik walked in to bat at number seven. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. What many fans did not know at the time was that Karthik had been preparing to bat much earlier. Initially, he was told he would bat at number five, then later shifted to number six. Even then, when the fourth wicket fell, instead of being sent in, Vijay Shankar was promoted ahead of him. The constant shuffle in the batting order frustrated Karthik, who was eager to contribute.

He admitted later that he was upset, but as a senior player, he accepted the captain’s call and waited. It turned out that this delay created the perfect stage for him to produce a once-in-a-lifetime knock. With 34 needed from two overs, Bangladesh had all the momentum. Rubel Hossain was given the 19th over, and Karthik wasted no time. From his very first ball, he struck cleanly, driving and lofting with remarkable confidence. In the space of six deliveries, he collected 22 runs, which included two powerful sixes and two boundaries. Suddenly, the equation had narrowed, and belief returned to the Indian camp. Karthik said:

I was first ready to bat at number 5 and then Rohit Sharma said that I’ll be going in at number 6. So, I was fine with that. I was pretty sure I would go in at number six and I could see that the difference between the runs needed and the remaining deliveries was increasing. When the fourth wicket fell, I was ready to walk in, but then Rohit said Vijay Shankar should go into bat. So, at that point, I was disappointed and I felt anger, but you obviously don’t question the captain. I am sure Rohit had something in mind, so I just let it be. However, finally walked in at number 7.

Yet, the final over was still filled with tension. Soumya Sarkar was handed the ball, with India needing 12 runs. The over began with dot balls and singles that added to the nerves. When the third last delivery was bowled, India still required nine runs. Vijay Shankar managed to release some pressure with a boundary but was dismissed immediately after. That left five runs needed from the very last ball of the tournament. The situation was clear, anything less than a boundary meant defeat. With the weight of the match resting on his shoulders, Karthik stayed composed. Sarkar pitched the ball outside off, and Karthik launched into it with a full swing of the bat.

The ball sailed high and cleared the sweeper cover boundary for a six. India had pulled off the most improbable of wins, and Karthik’s final strike sent the stadium into a frenzy. Karthik finished unbeaten on 29 from just 8 balls, a cameo that will always be remembered as one of the greatest finishing acts in limited-overs cricket. The strike rate of 362 highlighted the sheer dominance of his short stay at the crease. For a player who had often played in the shadows of bigger names, it was a defining moment. Reflecting later, Karthik explained that he had practiced scenarios of chasing 12 from the last over or 20 from two overs, but never a situation as steep as 34 from two. He concluded with:

A lot of times in life when you’re pushed to the brink, you come up with something special. It was one of those occasions where I had nothing to lose. I had an opportunity where I had the freedom to completely express myself. I had always practiced situations — 12 runs from 1 over, 20 runs from 2 overs, etc. But I don’t think I had practiced 34 runs from 2 overs. When I went in, I knew the shots I could play and I executed them on that day.

Still, the years of training and his ability to stay calm in crunch situations came to his rescue. He approached the challenge with nothing to lose, and that mindset allowed him to bat with complete freedom. The final became more than just another victory for India. It was a reminder of the unpredictability of cricket and how a single player can turn the tide in moments of desperation. For Karthik, it was redemption and recognition. After years of being in and out of the side, often overshadowed by other wicketkeepers, he had delivered when it mattered most.

For Indian fans, the image of Karthik celebrating with his arms raised after the winning six remains unforgettable. It was not just about the runs he scored but about the timing, composure, and courage displayed when the odds were stacked against him. The Nidahas Trophy final is now remembered as the tournament where Dinesh Karthik transformed from a squad player into a national hero, proving that persistence and belief can lead to moments of greatness.