Dinesh Karthik may fill in for Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Delhi on Sunday

Last updated: 6th January 2013  

Dinesh Karthik may fill in for Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Delhi on Sunday

Dinesh Karthik: May get his chance against Pakistan on Sunday

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Dinesh Karthik has been called into the India squad ahead of the third one-day international against Pakistan in Delhi on Sunday as cover for Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The Indian skipper has picked up a minor back injury and, with the hosts already 2-0 down in the three-match series, he may choose to rest ahead of the upcoming five-match series with England.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India tweeted: "Dinesh Karthik has been flown in as a back-up to MS Dhoni. The Indian captain is suffering from a sore back."

Dhoni's absence would be a blow to the Indian cause as he is their only player to have delivered with the bat in the series so far, having made 113 not out and 54 not out.

The 27-year-old Karthik has scored five half-centuries in 52 ODI appearances and averages 27.24.

The series against England starts in 11 January in Rajkot and the squad will be announced after Sunday's match.

Under-performing big names such as Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag will be hoping for big scores in Delhi to assure themselves of places in the squad.

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