A right-handed top-order batsman and occasional opener, Arun Karthik began his first-class career with 149 on debut against Karnataka in 2008-09. He was part of a power-packed Tamil Nadu batting quintet that season, scoring 344 runs in four games. Arun Karthik began his mainstream career in Sri Lanka, where he represented Badureliya Sports Club for one season. He was the leading run-scorer for his club, with 213 runs in nine games in the 50-over tournament. Karthik is currently settling into his role as a regular top-order batsman for Tamil Nadu. He enjoyed good returns in 2009-10, scoring 573 Ranji runs at 53.19. He initially had an IPL contract with Chennai Super Kings and was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2011. That move paid off quite spectacularly in the Champions League later that year, when his last-ball six against South Australia took Royal Challengers to the semi-finals.
Kanishkaa Balachandran