As a senior stumper, Dinesh Karthik’s value to Team India questioned by Matthew Hayden.
As a senior stumper, Dinesh Karthik’s value to Team India questioned by Matthew Hayden. Australia beat India by four wickets in the first T20I of a three-match series on Tuesday in Mohali on September 20. India batted well and put up 208 runs, but it wasn’t enough because the other team chased it down in 19.2 overs, losing six wickets in the process. Australia is close to winning a rare T20I series in India after winning the first game of the series. The Men in Blue were surprised to lose the first game because they had a big score and were expected to win easily. However, both the bowlers and the fielders did a lousy job, which cost India the game.
Poor performance from the Indian side
Five of the six bowlers that Indian captain Rohit Sharma used that night gave up more than ten runs per over, and the fielders missed at least three crucial catches.
Aside from these two big problems, the team management is worried about Dinesh Karthik’s performance and role in the team. The veteran stumper seems to be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in the current set-up, which is why they picked him for the first match instead of the talented Rishabh Pant. But how he hit the ball and where he came out to bat have made many people wonder what his role is on the Indian team.
DK’s performance
Karthik batted seventh in the first game of the series against Australia in Mohali. It was strange that all-rounder Axar Patel was sent out before him. Because Karthik is a better batter on any given day. The Indian team management hadn’t used this strategy for the first time. And just like the last time, it didn’t go over well with former greats and experts. So they questioned Karthik’s role in the team.
Hayden’s take
“I was just thinking about the role of Dinesh (Karthik). This role Dinesh is playing now, for the life of me, I can’t work out why he wouldn’t be in their batting now. It doesn’t make any sense to me whatsoever. See, I don’t want to give the impression that I’m disrespecting Dinesh Karthik, but he should be batting more-it’s actually the opposite,” Hayden said on air during the 1st T20I.
Even though Axar has been doing great with the bat lately, the former Australian opener said Karthik should get more ball time.
“I think he is such a good player that he can come in and play this exact same shot. I question the role that he is playing as a finisher. I think there is a role for him to come up the order,” he added.
Agarkar’s opinion
Ajit Agarkar, a former Indian pacer, was on air with Hayden at the time. He said it was important for India to use Karthik well and get the most out of him.“I find it very strange with regards to Dinesh Karthik. He is a good enough batter to walk in now. Doesn’t have to after the 16th over. And as improved as Axar Patel is, you have the expectation from Karthik to manage this sort of situation. At least you hope he does, considering he is playing ahead of Rishabh Pant as well in this XI. It happened in the South Africa series and again today, Axar is batting ahead of him,” said Agarkar.
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