Now, 16 years later, in Rajkot, Karthik notched up his first half-century in the format, blistering 27-ball 55, hitting nine fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 203.7. He was also involved in a crucial 65-run stand-off with 33 balls with Hardik Pandya to set up India's 82-run thrashing of South Africa and take the series to a cracking finale on Sunday.
Despite losing the toss for the fourth time in a row, India ended up on the winning side, meaning that the hosts levelled the five-match series 2-2, with Sunday's match at Bengaluru now a winner takes it all affair.
The 27-year-old Azam already has the top ICC billing in both white-ball formats, but is ranked fifth in the longest format behind the likes of Australia's Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, New Zealand's Kane Williamson and prolific England run-getter Joe Root.
The former Indian captain Gavaskar backed Dinesh Karthik, saying that the wicketkeeper-batsman is capable of changing the complexion of the game in the IPL 2022 with his batting exploits.
Australian pace bowler Josh Hazlewood, who had figures of 3/28, said he felt great after achieving the narrow win.
After the Shubman Gill against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi proved instrumental in KKR's victory against the Royals.
Gill's unbeaten 92-run stand with England's World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan helped KKR survive a short scare while they chased down SRH's 142/4.
The match was played in hot and humid conditions in Abu Dhabi which was a change for a number of key foreign players in the KKR squad.
"They (Mumbai Indians) have a team of world-class players; they are a strong lineup and the number of IPL titles they have won shows that. It's good that we are playing Mumbai early in the tournament. Every year is a different year. I am sure it will be a great game tomorrow," said Karthik during a virtual press conference on Tuesday.
Kolkata Knight Riders will open their IPL 13 campaign against the Mumbai Indians at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Wednesday.
