Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has questioned India’s decision to bat Dinesh Karthik at No.7 in the second T20I against South Africa on Sunday in Cuttack. Karthik came out to bat after Axar Patel, which raised a couple of eyebrows.
The Indian team management opted to hold back Karthik and instead sent Axar into bat when Hardik Pandya was dismissed in the 13th over of their innings. However, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter had to go to the middle in the very next over when Shreyas Iyer was caught behind.
Aakash Chopra was critical of Dinesh Karthik’s batting position while reviewing the second T20I on his YouTube channel. The cricketer-turned-commentator said:
“The question is why did they send Axar before Dinesh? It is not very often that you get the chance to play more balls and if you don’t go in such a case or you are not sent, I think it’s a mistake.”
He added:
“Dinesh Karthik, I love him as a finisher, once again he has finished strongly, but if more overs are left, will he not come to bat. If you are sending Axar ahead of him, you are doing wrong in my opinion.”
The 37-year-old Karthik did provide a late impetus, scoring 30 off 21 balls, which included two fours and as many sixes.
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