Here's a letter from Ranga Prasana, a die-hard fan of Dinesh Karthik.
Dear DK Anna,
I've always admired the way you have approached the game and have been a fan of yours right from the start of your playing career. And March 18, 2018 happened - the Nidahas Trophy final, the unbeaten 8-ball 29 including the last ball six.
The entire nation celebrated. But those eight balls struck me hard in different ways. I told myself: "Who is this guy?" Post the NidahasTrophy final, deep into the night, I was wondering 'how could a cricketer who made his international debut in 2004 and having found himself out of the team on numerous occasions and with the thought that every opportunity could be his last' go on to play such a knock under pressure.
I told myself: 'When life knocks you down, bounce back like DK.'
Dinesh Karthik came up with a sensational knock in the final of the Nidahas Trophy in 2018. PC: AFP
Opener required? Yes, DK will do it. Top-order batter required? Yes, DK will take care of it. Finisher? Of course, DK. Your cricket journey is a life lesson in itself. It was at that moment cricketer Dinesh Karthik became DK Anna for me. I felt I had to celebrate a cricketer, in whatever capacity I could, from Tamil Nadu who has accomplished so much for his state and has inspired millions through his never-say-die attitude with all those comebacks into the national team.
From blunting the English bowling attack as a Test opener paving way for a historic series win in England in 2007 to rising back again as a scintillating finisher in the shortest format, DK Anna you have shown us that adaptability is the key to succeed in the long run.
Over the years, I had watched a few matches from the stadium in which you were a part of - a couple of Ranji Trophy matches & a few IPL matches. But my favourite was the 2018 CSK vs KKR match at Chepauk which I watched with my dad for company. I was rooting for DK Anna as well as Dhoni's men in yellow, after all I spread #Yellove everywhere. The picture says it all, isn't it?
Ranga with his father during the CSK vs KKR match at Chepauk in 2018.
As I had wished for, your partnership with Andre Russell helped KKR post a massive total only for CSK to overhaul it. The DK Anna fan in me was happy in the first half and Ranga, the CSK fan, was delighted in the second half. My dad is a cricket lover of the 1970s generation and is a purist. Yet, when you dazzle on the field in your own style, he makes it a point to call me and tell how good your knock was.
I have seen you in action on the field from the venue but I wanted to meet you in person at close quarters and my wish came true in 2019. One of my friends informed me that you would be visiting a 5-star hotel in Chennai as chief guest of an event and I rushed to the hotel within the next hour. The picture says it all.
January 2, 2020 will always remain a special day for me. I thank you for that. I had bought a new scooter and wanted to take you for a ride. Thus, I decided to stick a couple of photos of you in my scooter.
Ranga's scooter with photos of DK Anna!
However, I never thought that those photos would reach your Whatsapp, which it did, courtesy sports journalist & now sports commentator Baggs Anna (Bagawati Prasad), and you would respond back stating: "It looks so cool". I will never forget that day in my life.
Every time I step on to a cricket field representing my corporate club team during weekends, I have number 19 on my back. I have been training ever so hard to get better at the trademark DK scoops & reverse scoops. You are part of my bats, helmets, work cabin...
Ranga's jersey with No 19 at the back
Ranga's helmet
Ranga's cricket Kit
Ranga unleashing his favourite DK scoops
You have brought so much joy to cricket fans as a cricketer and inspired the next generation cricketers as a leader on and off the field. Just like your presence on the field as a cricketer, you have been dashing as a broadcaster as well with your insights and I'm sure it will continue to be that way in your second innings.
DK Anna, please check your insta DM or Facebook Messenger :)
When life knocks you down, bounce back like DK Anna! Wish you the best Anna.
-With love
Ranga Prasana