Best cricketing moment of my life: Karthik on last ball sixer

Mumbai [India], Mar. 24 (ANI): Few days after guiding India to a four-wicket win over Bangladesh to clinch Nidahas Trophy T20 tri-series, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik on Saturday described it as the "best cricketing moment of my life".

Karthik, who remained unbeaten at 29, clinched the match on the final delivery at the R Premadasa Stadium last week, sending a flat six over the covers. His eight-ball knock included two fours and three sixes and he was adjudged Man of the Match.

Reflecting on the same, the 32-year-old said he had received a lot of attention in the following days over his heroic performance, adding that he was now hopeful of a good sort of journey from here on.

"Initially, the first couple of days I have got a lot of attention. Now, the things are becoming normal. It's been a good few days. A lot of people have been sending me congratulatory messages. It's been really nice. Though at the back of my mind, I do feel strongly that there should be a start of something nice and a good sort of journey from here on. That's how I am looking at it. It is not like wow I have done something," he told the reporters.

Karthik, however, insisted that his performance in the finals of the T20I tri-series was not only the result of his hard work of two to three days, but that it was a culmination of what he has done in last 14 years.

"For me, it is not just those eight balls. I think it has been whatever things I have done in last 14 years looking and play international cricket or the last 20-22 years that I have been playing the sport. All those things culminated and helped me get those runs. So, it is not just about one day. I think there is a lot of things that count on before that which helped me get to the place where I could play that knock," Karthik insisted.

Karthik further said that he is now looking forward to keep contributing in those ways and help the team clinch victories.

"If I have to dig deep, it is something that has been nice. Something which I can fondly say that it was a best cricketing moment of my life. I am very happy with it. Having said all these things, it will be nice on my part to use it as a start and try and keep contributing in those ways to help the team win and that is what I am looking to," he said.

For the first time in the history of Indian Premier League (IPL), Dinesh Karthik will lead a franchise.

Karthik, who has been appointed as the skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders for the upcoming 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), will hope to carry on the momentum of winning India the T20 tri-series in Sri Lanka into the tournament starting next month.

Honoured to have received the opportunity, Karthik said, "Again, that is a massive moment for me. Leading a franchise like KKR. It only had two captains till now--Sourav Ganguly and Gautam Gambhir. I am very happy and proud that I am their captain. They have given me a lot of responsibility. I am really honoured as it is a big franchise that played a lot of consistent cricket in last few years and It is a big responsibility. There is a lot of pleasure in trying to say that it is one of the best team of the IPL."

The 11th edition of IPL will start on April 7, with Chennai Super Kings facing defending champions Mumbai Indians.

KKR will begin their IPL campaign against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Eden Gardens April 8. (ANI)