India vs Afghanistan: Top five batsmen to look forward to in the contest

#5. Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik is playing Test Cricket after a span of eight years

Dinesh Karthik has perhaps missed out on playing at the highest level during his peak, as have several other keepers in the Dhoni era. The opening finally came after the retirement of Dhoni from Tests in late 2014, but Wriddhiman Saha was constantly picked ahead of him, just as he was this time as well. With Saha forced out by an injury, Karthik might have had a lucky break this time around. Also having had a very successful IPL season with the bat competing against the likes of Lokesh Rahul, Karthik might just become a mainstay in the Test team if he is able to perform well in the game. We have already seen is match-winning abilities at the Nihadas Trophy held earlier this year, where he literally snatched victory from the jaws of Bangladesh.

Speaking about Tests, it has been Karthik played his last test back in 2010. The highest point in his Test career was when Karthik replaced Sehwag in the 2007 tour of England as an opener. Showing a stoic, airtight technique and unfavourable conditions, he ended the Test series as India's highest run-getter, ahead of some big names like Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, and the great Sachin Tendulkar, playing a significant role in handing India an elusive away series win. This speaks volumes of Karthik's abilities in the longest format of the game.

Dinesh Karthik has scored exactly 1000 runs in 23 Test matches, at an average of 27.78.