After losing the first T20I of the three-match series against Australia, India came back quite strongly in the second game at Nagpur. After putting Australia to bat in the rain-curtailed 8 overs per side game, the visitors managed to put 90 runs on the board. In reply India chased down the score with 6 wickets in hand courtesy of a 46 run innings from skipper Rohit Sharma, and a very short but very effective cameo from Dinesh Karthik.
Coming in to bat ahead of Rishabh Pant in the order, Karthik came in the crease with India needing 8 off the last over. The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman, however, didn’t take time to stretch the game. He hit Daniel Sams for a six and a four of the first two deliveries, as he finished with an innings of 10 from 2 balls. Thus, his skills of finishing the game superbly were at full display here.
Dinesh Karthik said that he has executed this role of a finisher was quite some time in the IPL and is happy to continue with it for India now.
“Look, I think over a period of time I’ve been practicing for this. I’ve been doing it for RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore) now, and I’m happy doing it here. So it’s a consistent routine over a period of time, the kind of, you know, when I get off time, I do a lot of scenario practices,” Karthik said in a press conference after the game.
Dinesh Karthik also gave an insight into how his practice sessions go to perfect his skills. “You know, Vikram (Rathour) and Rahul (Dravid) have also been accommodating of how I want to practice. What are the kind of shots I want to practice, so I’ve been very specific with it. I don’t practice too much, but I try and keep it as specific as possible,” he said.
With the series now level at 1-1, India will take on Australia in the third T20I at Hyderabad on Sunday (September 25) in order to win the series.
