An honour to play for Mumbai: Karthik

CHENNAI: Though Team Mumbai have been one of the strongest sides in IPL in all the four editions, they have never won the title but their luck changed when they won the Champions League T20 last year. Since then, the team has been paying close attention to its composition too.

Having relied on stop-gap wicketkeepers (Aditya Tare and Ambati Rayudu) in the last four editions of IPL and two Champions Leagues (2009 & 2011), Mumbai realised that they had to go for a specialist keeper. That was how Dinesh Karthik entered their ranks this season. Clearly, Harbhajan Singh & Co did not want to leave anything to chance this time.

Mumbai's new skipper Harbhajan is happy to have Karthik in the side and said the Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper has a good track record. Mumbai swapped Karthik (Team Punjab) with another Chennai player R Sathish for a whopping amount.

"Dinesh is a very exciting cricketer who always gives his best on the field. We never had a specialist wicketkeeper and wanted to have someone who can keep wickets and contribute with his bat as well and Dinesh has the ability to do both.

"We tried a few options but when we got a chance to include Dinesh in the team, we did not think twice given his credentials and the amount of international experience he has got," Harbhajan said.

The Indian spinner did not hesitate to say that Dinesh is now the best wicketkeeper-batsman after Indian skipper MS Dhoni and added (in lighter vein) they would love to have the best (Dhoni) in the team if he is available.

"Dhoni has been doing a great job for India and it would have been nice to include him in our team but..." Harbhajan said with a mischievous smile.

Karthik, who had earlier played for Team Delhi and Team Punjab, is aware of his challenges and said he has prepared well for the season and is ready to shoulder the responsibilities.

"It's a great honour for me to play for Mumbai and I'm thankful to the team management for showing faith in me. This is going to be an exciting season for Mumbai and we all are eager to give our best for the team. I've always dreamt of winning an IPL title but never had the opportunity to be a part of a victorious side so far. We have a balanced side and with the inclusion of some new faces like Richard Levi, Mithcell Johnson, Thisara Perera, Pragyan Ojha and RP Singh the team looks stronger," Karthik told TOI.

Karthik said he is aware of his responsibility. "I will follow the instructions of my skipper and the team management. I'm looking forward to have a great season. I've had a good domestic season. I am in good nick. Moreover, I have always done well in IPL and hope to do well this season too."

It will be an emotional moment for Karthik when he takes the field against Team Chennai at his favourite venue MA Chidambaram Stadium in the IPL opener on Wednesday.

"It's a different a kind of challenge but as a professional player you have to deal with such situations. I'm a Mumbai player now and I will give my best shot for my team," Karthik signed off.