Arun Karthik signs up with Puducherry for 2019-20 Ranji season

K. B. Arun Karthik said he was also approached by his home side Tamil Nadu.

An experienced top-order batsman and a handy wicketkeeper, Karthik has played 74 first-class matches and scored 4021 runs.

Kerala batsman K. B. Arun Karthik has signed up with Puducherry for the 2019-20 domestic season.

The 33-year old said he was also approached by his home side Tamil Nadu. "I got my NOC (No Objection Certificate) from Kerala. Tamil Nadu wanted me as well, but looking at the present scenario there, I decided against it.

"All their international players are available this year. So my opportunities to contribute to the team would have reduced. So I thought of moving to Puducherry instead since it is closer home."

An experienced top-order batsman and a handy wicketkeeper, Karthik has played 74 first-class matches and scored 4021 runs. He will be featuring for his new side come September and accepts his role will be much different than what it was like at his previous side. “Yeah definitely (my role will be more like that of a mentor) as the experience always comes in.

"Some players want to know things and what I know I love to share with the players. I am very open that way. Puducherry has a good bunch of players. Paras (Dogra) is good and many others are joining. There are a bunch of local guys and many well-known names. Our coach J. Arun Kumar is excellent as well.”

Puducherry, which was included in the Plate Division of the Ranji Trophy last year, had a difficult debut season, with its worst performance coming in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where it won just one of its seven matches.

“The challenge would be to gel and get the team together. It is a new team and you need to give the players the right roles," he said.