IND vs SA: Keshav Maharaj explains why it is difficult for Dinesh Karthik to bowl
Veteran South African spinner Keshav Maharaj believes that Team India batsman Dinesh Karthik looks for runs in unconventional areas and this makes it difficult for him to bowl. Karthik’s 55 off 27 balls, his maiden half-century in the format first played in 2006, helped India level the five-match T20I series in Rajkot on Friday.
The 37-year-old batsman has made another comeback in India with a stellar performance in the IPL.
A designated finisher in the Indian team, Karthik has not relied on power-hitting to be effective. He has played the field brilliantly to get the desired result. On Friday, he swung spinners and fast bowlers with equal disdain and pulled off audacious reverse hits.
@DineshKarthik brilliant performance with the bat and won the player of the match award as #TeamIndia beat South Africa in Rajkot.
Scorecard https://t.co/9Mx4DQmACq #INDvSA | @Paytm pic.twitter.com/RwIBD2OP3p – BCCI (@BCCI) June 17, 2022
“He (Karthik) is in serious form in the role he is playing. He is definitely one of the best finishers in the game. He scores in unconventional areas which makes it difficult for him to bowl.
“We saw why he was one of the leading performers in the IPL. He showed his class today and played exceptionally well,” said Maharaj after the fourth T20I.
India have won two matches in a row after defeating the hosts in the first two matches of South Africa.
In-flight insightful conversation
great @msdhoni. learn from
being an inspiration
Don’t miss as @hardikpandya7 and @DineshKartik chat after #TeamIndia’s win in Rajkot. – @28anand . By
Full Interview #INDvSA | @Paytmhttps://t.co/R6sPJK68Gy pic.twitter.com/wx1o9dOPNB – BCCI (@BCCI) June 18, 2022
The momentum is with India in the decider to be held in Bengaluru on Sunday. Maharaj said that the team is waiting for the challenge.
“We got a little momentum in the first two and India in the next two. It makes it more exciting to go to Bangalore, the crowd has been amazing so far, it will add to the excitement.
“It’s also a good test for our cricket team to see how far we have come to play in such events and try to win a series against a strong Indian outfit.”
He also praised India’s fast bowler Avesh Khan, who took four wickets for 18 runs.
“Avesh adapted really well and kept it really simple and there was a reward for consistent and controlled bowling,” said Maharaj.