Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan was all praise for wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik’s performance in the last few months. He expressed that Dinesh Karthik’s range of shots is similar to that of AB De Villiers’.
Dinesh Karthik had a brilliant Indian Premier League 2022 season. He continued his form in the recently concluded T20I series against South Africa. The veteran cricketer was making a comeback to the Indian T20I team after around three years. He scored 92 runs in four innings at an average of 46 and a strike rate of 158.62.
Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan was impressed with the veteran cricketer’s range of shots. He compared it to former South African cricketer AB De Villiers’. Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports:
“You will not find many players with such a range (of shots). The kind of range that this player has got…I am not comparing Dinesh Karthik with AB de Villiers in ability but I am talking about range. His range is like that.”
As a finisher, Dinesh Karthik is really important – Irfan Pathan
Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan further expressed that Dinesh Karthik uses his feet really well. He added that the 37-year-old plays both spin and pace well, and can take on the bowlers right from the word go. Irfan Pathan said:
“He will hit straight, switch-hit, will play fast bowlers at the leg-side, will play sweep shot. He has got all those shots. When need be, he often steps out and he also often relies on the leg side. Dinesh Karthik uses the line really well. He uses the feet really well.
He plays spin really well, he plays the fast bowlers well too. If you ask him to hit from the first ball, he does that too. As a finisher, he is really important.”
On Wednesday, Dinesh Karthik jumped 108 places in the ICC T20I rankings for batters. He currently sits in the 87th position. The wicket-keeper batter will tour with the Indian team to Ireland for a two-match T20I series later this month.
You can find the cricket live score of the two-match T20I series between India and Ireland here.
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