Dinesh Karthik’s 8-ball 29 gave India a thrilling win in the final over of the run-chase in the Nidahas Trophy Tri-series final against Bangladesh in Colombo.
Chasing 167, India were off to a good start thanks to Rohit Sharma but a wicket-maiden from Mustafizur Rahman in the 18th over, left India with 34 runs to get from the last 12 balls.
Out walked the man everyone calls DK and he went: 6 4 6 0 2 4 1 6 in his 8 balls.
With five needed of the final ball, he hit a flat six over extra cover for six to script one of the most incredible finisihes in T20I history.
This is what Karthik himself had to say:
“The way Musftazur bowled... So I just had to go out there and hit the ball hard. I have been practicing keeping a good base and hitting throguh the line and luckily it came out well. The Indian team is a tough place to get an opportunity, but once you get it, you have to take it. And credit to the backroom staff, they have always supported me and I’m really happy.”
The innings was special because it was the first instance of a team winning with 5 runs needed off the final ball with a six.
Dinesh Karthik is the first batsman to hit a six when 5 or more runs were required to win off the final delivery in T20Is.
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 18, 2018
There was plenty of praise from the cricket community for DK.
Amazing victory by #TeamIndia. Superb batting by @DineshKarthik. A great knock by @ImRo45 to set the platform.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 18, 2018
What a finish to a final!!#NidahasTrophy2018 #INDvsBAN pic.twitter.com/ZYDl6jzVWl
Incredible knock from @DineshKarthik under pressure👌🙏
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 18, 2018
DK you beauty @DineshKarthik .. what a nail biting finish!! .. Congrats #TeamIndia #indvsban @BCCI
— Wriddhiman Saha (@Wriddhipops) March 18, 2018
Wonderman Karthik! Hitting a six over cover never easy. Unbelievable stroke under such pressure. Well played India!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 18, 2018
Top inn @DineshKarthik very well done.. special hitting.. #indvsBang @BCCI congratulations #TeamIndia captain @ImRo45 👌🇮🇳
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 18, 2018
You beauty ! @DineshKarthik 👊🏽👌🏼
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) March 18, 2018
29 off 8.... @DineshKarthik take a bow!! Up there with one of the best closing innings of all time! #indvsban
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) March 18, 2018
Finishes with a SIX. Dinesh Karthik, you beauty. Brought India back from the dead. One of the key gains from #NidahasTrophy #INDvBAN
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 18, 2018
Easily the best hand Dinesh Karthik has played in his career. Been saying it for a while, this is the best he has been batting in his career
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 18, 2018
funny how things turn out sometimes. in india's first ever T20I in 2006, @DineshKarthik was player of the match in a tight run chase. here he is again, almost 12 years on, player of the match in a tight run chase in india's latest T20I #INDvBAN
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) March 18, 2018
And a typical Twitter take on the situation...
Indians in the last 6 balls of this match. #IndvBan pic.twitter.com/AywRP1uITw
— Bollywood Gandu (@BollywoodGandu) March 18, 2018
Look closely Bangladeshis.
— GoanPatiala (@TheGoanPatiala) March 18, 2018
This is photoshopped MSDhoni #INDvsBAN #NidahasTrophy #NidahasTrophy2018 pic.twitter.com/7xZKhH9RvZ
Dear Bangladesh, never underestimate an Indian wicketkeeper on the last ball of a T20 match. #IndvBan #DineshKarthik pic.twitter.com/TIg9kkkoBH
— Bollywood Gandu (@BollywoodGandu) March 18, 2018
Dinesh Karthik 29*(8) coming in with 35 needed in 12 balls. #INDvBAN #NidahasTrophy pic.twitter.com/qpI9bTss62
— Tareque Laskar (@tarequelaskar) March 18, 2018
#INDvBAN
— Arun LoL (@dhaikilokatweet) March 18, 2018
Shankar - Soumya ko diya last over.. kya strategy hogi Karthik bhai
DK - pic.twitter.com/j4l7Az2uPp
But the thought that plenty of fans immediately had was...
Have heard Miandad hitting sixer off the last ball. Fortunate to witness #DK hitting six off the last ball. You will be remembered forever in the history of Indian cricket mr #DK
— Sateesh Botta (@bkrsatish) March 18, 2018
Dinesh Miandad
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) March 18, 2018