"Bhai log, bada galti ho gaya": Dinesh Karthik expresses regret for his "blunder" of leaving MS Dhoni out of his all-time India XI.

 NEW DELHI: Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik recently addressed the confusion surrounding his selection of an all-time India XI across formats, which notably did not include the legendary wicketkeeper and captain MS Dhoni. Karthik clarified that the exclusion of Dhoni was not intentional but rather a genuine oversight, admitting that he had mistakenly forgotten to include a wicketkeeper in his lineup.

"Bhai log, bada galti ho gaya": Dinesh Karthik expresses regret for his "blunder" of leaving MS Dhoni out of his all-time India XI.

Karthik’s explanation came in response to feedback he received after the episode aired on Cricbuzz. Fans and cricket enthusiasts were quick to notice the absence of Dhoni, one of India's most iconic cricketers, from Karthik's dream team, which led to some backlash.

"Guys, I made a big mistake (Bhai log, bada galti ho gaya)," Karthik confessed. He acknowledged that he only realized his error once the episode was broadcast. He further explained that, in the midst of considering various factors for his team, he inadvertently omitted a specialist wicketkeeper. As a result, it was assumed that Rahul Dravid, who occasionally kept wickets for India, would fill that role. "Can you believe that being a wicketkeeper myself, I forgot to include one? It was a blunder," Karthik added, highlighting the irony of his mistake.

Karthik, who has played as a wicketkeeper for India, was quick to praise MS Dhoni, describing him as "one of the greatest cricketers to have ever played the game." He clarified that if he had the opportunity to select his team again, Dhoni would unquestionably be his choice for the No. 7 spot and would serve as the captain of any Indian team, regardless of the format. 

Karthik's all-time India XI across formats is a blend of the finest talents the country has produced. His lineup includes Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma as the opening batsmen, providing a solid and explosive start. Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, two of India's most dependable and celebrated batsmen, occupy the No. 3 and No. 4 positions, respectively. Virat Kohli is slotted at No. 5, bringing his aggressive batting style and consistency to the middle order.

For the all-rounder positions, Karthik selected Yuvraj Singh and Ravindra Jadeja, both of whom have a reputation for turning games around with both bat and ball. The spin department features two of India's most successful bowlers, Ravichandran Ashwin and Anil Kumble, who have a combined tally of over 1,000 Test wickets. The pace attack is spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Zaheer Khan, both known for their ability to deliver under pressure. Harbhajan Singh, another stalwart of Indian cricket, was named as the 12th man, acknowledging his significant contributions over the years.

The initial XI chosen by Karthik, which sparked the controversy, was as follows: Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Anil Kumble, Jasprit Bumrah, and Zaheer Khan, with Harbhajan Singh as the 12th man.

Despite the mix-up, Karthik's selections reflect his deep respect for the legends of Indian cricket and underscore the remarkable depth of talent that the country has produced over the decades. His oversight regarding the wicketkeeper position serves as a reminder of the complexity involved in selecting an all-time great XI from a nation with such a rich cricketing heritage.