Dinesh Karthik is one of the most underrated players in IPL history. This season, he is with a new franchise after having spent the last four years, several as captain, with Kolkata Knight Riders. In the very first matches, it is quite evident that the Bangalore-based franchise are keen on utilizing the wicketkeeper-batter as a finisher and Karthik is certainly enjoying himself in that role.
The 36-year-old from Tamil Nadu smacked an unbeaten 32 off just 14 deliveries to help RCB cross the 200-run milestone against Punjab Kings. He continued in the same manner against Kolkata Knight Riders as well, scoring a valiant knock of 14* off seven deliveries while coming in to bat late against his former franchise.
Speaking ahead of the game against Rajasthan Royals, Dinesh Karthik confirmed that the team has assigned him the role of a finisher. “At this point of time yes, it looks like that for sure. That’s what they’ve told me – the message is very clear,” said the veteran cricketer about his role.
Dinesh Karthik has played alongside some of the finest spinners in the business. At Kolkata Knight Riders, the wicket-keeper observed Varun Chakravarthy bowl from close ranks. A fine mystery spinner, Varun has been incredibly hard to read as a batsman.
What made him achieve even greater heights was the constant feedback and advice he received from Dinesh Karthik who stood behind the stumps. Varun was also from Tamil Nadu and the two players communicated in their local tongue to hatch plans for opposition batters.
At Royal Challengers Bangalore, Dinesh Karthik has the job of keeping stumps to another fine spin bowler in Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga. Hasaranga wreaked havoc against Kolkata Knight Riders and picked up four wickets while conceding only 20 runs in his spell of four overs.
When asked to illustrate the difference between the two bowlers, the wicketkeeper batsman said, “He (Hasaranga) is much slower through the air, he’s a very different kind of bowler. He looks to turn the ball both ways. Being a wrist-spinner, he’s very accurate in most cases. I’ve enjoyed keeping to him because the challenges have been to figure out what are the best positions to get into to effect a stumping or a catch.”
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