MS Dhoni vs Dinesh Karthik: A statistical comparison
While MS Dhoni has already sealed his place in India's World Cup 2019 squad, it is still a toss-up between Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant for the second wicket-keeper slot. However, there are also murmurs about how Karthik may provide more value to the team than Dhoni as a batsman.
Let's take a look at who has been statistically better as a batsman between Dhoni and Karthik. For the purposes of this article, we will judge the players on their ODI stats since 2015.
Success as a finisher
Method 1: Average in successful chases
This method helps us know about their contributions in wins for the Indian team. It also tells us how they perform under pressure.
MS Dhoni
In successful chases since 2015, Dhoni has played in 52 matches and has scored runs at a splendid average of 91.50.
Dinesh Karthik
In successful chases since 2015, Karthik has scored runs at an out-of-the-world average of 272 runs.
Based on these above facts, Karthik emerges the winner.
MS Dhoni: 0 points
Dinesh Karthik: 1 point
Method 2: Not out percentage
This method will help us understand how well they play under pressure, and their ability to finish the innings for the team without losing their wicket.
MS Dhoni
Dhoni has a not out percentage of 25.7% in the 70 innings he has played since 2015.
Dinesh Karthik
Karthik has a not out percentage of 47% in the 17 innings he has played since 2015
Based on these facts, Karthik again emerges as the winner. However, Dhoni has maintained the not out percentage in a lot more innings than DK. Thus Dhoni will get half a point.
MS Dhoni: 0.5 points
Dinesh Karthik: 2 points
Based on the above facts it can be concluded that since 2015, Karthik has played the role of a finisher better than Dhoni.
Stability provided
Method 1: Percentage of 50-plus scores at number 4
This method will show how often they contribute in a big way to the team's total score, and how good they are at steadying the ship in times of trouble for the side.
MS Dhoni
Dhoni has scored three half-centuries in 12 innings. He has scored 50-plus scores in 25% of the innings he has batted in at number 4.
Dinesh Karthik
Karthik has scored three half-centuries in 9 innings. He has scored 50-plus scores in 33% of the innings he has batted in at number 4.
Through these facts we can conclude that Karthik has provided more stability to the batting lineup, and so he scores one point.
MS Dhoni: 0.5 points
Dinesh Karthik: 3 points
Method 2: Average at number 4
This method will help us understand how well these players stabilize the innings, as this is one of the primary roles of a number 4 batsman.
MS Dhoni
Dhoni has an average of 40.72 while batting at number 4 since 2015.
Dinesh Karthik
Karthik has an average of 52.80 while batting at number 4 since 2015.
Based on these above facts, we can conclude that DK once again rules over Dhoni in this facet of play.
MS Dhoni: 0.5 points
Dinesh Karthik: 4 points
Based on the above facts we can conclude that Karthik provides more value to the side than Dhoni as far as batting is concerned. However, Dhoni's exceptional glovework and experience will be invaluable to India's World Cup hopes.
Thus, the best solution will be to incorporate both of them into the World Cup squad, with DK being a back-up keeper as well as a specialist batsman in the squad.