Praise poured in from Dinesh Karthik for Jammu & Kashmir’s Aqib Nabi Dar, whom he branded a ‘champion player’ amid the Ranji Trophy final buzz. The ex-India keeper’s endorsement highlights Aqib’s breakout season.
Aqib’s three-wicket haul on Thursday against Karnataka at Hubli added to his tally of 58 scalps, achieved across all tournament games despite shifting challenges.
Karthik, an avid follower, posted on X urging aspiring cricketers to draw lessons from Aqib. His fitness, endurance for extended spells, and reliability on unresponsive pitches stood out. Aqib assured his team of wickets when it mattered most, maintaining control from outset to climax.
‘Winning domestic titles on your own steam paves the way to India colors,’ Karthik observed, predicting a stellar future for the pacer whose resolve will motivate many.
Match update: J&K’s imposing 584 featured Shubham Pundir’s 121, captain Paras Dogra’s 70, and Yawar Hassan’s 88. Karnataka closed day three at 220 for 5, trailing by 364, with Mayank Agarwal not out on 130 beside Krithik Krishna’s 27. Aqib’s form keeps the pressure on.