The Indian wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik received a lot of flak for refusing a single to non-striker Krunal Pandya in the series-deciding loss to New Zealand in the third T20 International in Hamilton. Justifying the same during a recent interview with Times of India (TOI), he said that he genuinely believed that he could hit a six.
On Sunday night at Hamilton, things did not go as per plan in the final over, in which India needed 16 runs, and the 33-year-old has no qualms in accepting that. Karthik refused a single to the big-hitting Krunal off the third ball of the over leading to some debate on whether he took the right decision.
Describing the same, Karthik said, “I think Krunal and I batted really well from that situation (145/6). We were able to bring the match down to a place where the bowlers were under pressure. We backed ourselves to do the job. And at that stage (after refusing the single), I genuinely believed that I could hit a six. As a middle-order batsman, a lot of times you have to trust your ability to play those big shots under pressure. It is also important to trust your partner at that time. It did not come off on that occasion but those things happen in the game of cricket.”
WATCH – Dinesh Karthik Takes A Stunner At The Boundary Line
Karthik faltered at Hamilton but it was only him and Krunal who took the game to the final over after India were 145 for six in the 16th over, needing another 68 off 28 balls. both Krunal and Karthik shared an unbeaten 63-run stand off 28 balls but it was not enough to save the series. India lost the game by four runs and series 1-2.
Elaborating his views further, Karthik said, “You have to give credit to Tim Southee for the way he executed those yorkers under pressure. One mistake there and I am sure we would have taken him down. They were all aware of the situation and knew we both did the best we could. But the support staff, as it has been around for a long time, understood it (our game plan). I was not able to deliver it that day. That is what sport is. The more you back yourself, the more consistent you become in finishing the game.”
Having made his international debut almost 15 years ago, Dinesh has managed to play only 26 Tests, 91 ODIs and 30 T20Is.
But over the last 24 months, his stop-start career seems to have found some stability and he has featured in as many as 20 ODIs and 21 T20Is besides making a Test comeback after more than eight years.
ALSO READ: Karthik Reveals That The Team Wants To See Him As The Finisher
Despite consistent performances, Karthik will have to go all guns blazing in the T20 and ODI series against Australia, India’s last before the World Cup in May-July. And he is ready to prove himself again.
Talking about the same, the veteran said, “As an international cricketer, you have to keep reinventing the wheel, being consistent is part of it. There will be questions asked and you have to keep answering them (with your performances). If you read into those things too much (of proving yourself repeatedly), it only pulls you down. It is important that whatever opportunities you get, you do the best you can.”
When asked if the Indian team management told him that number six is the spot for him in the batting order, Karthik replied that the team is considering having a flexible approach.
Dinesh explained, “They are also very flexible in their approach. I don’t think they have fixed me at number five or six. They just believe that whatever opportunity they will give me at any position, they know that I will do the best that I can. They know that I am able to finish games, irrespective of the batting position.”
