Visakhapatnam, India and South Africa are currently playing a three-match T20 series. South Africa took a 2-0 lead in the series by winning the first two matches, but the Indian team made a strong comeback from the third 50 matches and won the third and fourth T20 matches to tie the series 2-2. The credit for the Indian team’s victory in the fourth T20 match against South Africa in Rajkot goes to Dinesh Karthik. He came in difficult times and played the role of a great finisher.
He managed to make his first T20 International half century. Dinesh Karthik was awarded Player of the Match after the match. Then Dinesh Karthik said, feeling good. I feel very secure in this setup. Things didn’t go as planned in the last match, but I went and expressed myself today. I think DK is thinking a little better. He is able to make a good assessment of the situation and he comes up with the study. Credit goes to my coach.
He (South Africa) bowled brilliantly and created difficulties for us. “It was a difficult pitch to bat,” said Dinesh Karthik. Boundary was difficult to establish. Our opener batsmen are generally giving a good start. When I left, Hardik Pandya asked me to take my time. Importantly, players who have been around for a long time need to stand on such a pitch. Bangalore is the home ground for me.
“I have not played with Royal Challengers Bangalore, but I have played a lot there,” he added. It is good for the bilateral series to go to the final match. Absorbing the change in the third and fourth match was something we would pick up. Credit goes to Rahul Dravid. There is a sense of calm in him. Dinesh Karthik also said that there is a quiet space in the dressing room. It is important to learn to cope with stress.
Batting first, India scored 16 runs in limited 20 overs. Dinesh Karthik scored 4 runs from the bat, in reply the South African team piled up only 3 runs. Now the series is tied at 2-2 and the fifth match will be decisive. HS2KP