Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden was left baffled by India’s decision on delaying Dinesh Karthik’s entry point in the first T20I vs Australia in Mohali.
Axar Patel was promoted to number 6 above Karthik and the left-hander was sent to bat in the 14th over. Karthik, who is in the side as a specialist finisher, was held back and came in at number 7 at the end of the 16th over.
There is a big debate about Dinesh Karthik’s role in the team
While speaking on commentary at the point, Matthew Hayden expressed his bewilderment, starting that Karthik should have been batting ahead of Axar.
“I was just thinking about the role of Dinesh. This role Dinesh is playing now, for the life of me, I can’t work out why he wouldn’t be in their batting now. It doesn’t make any sense to me whatsoever. See. I don’t want to give the impression that I’m disrespecting Dinesh Karthik but he should be batting more – it’s actually the opposite,” Hayden said on air.
Right after Hayden made the comment on live TV, Axar smashed a straight drive off Cummins for a four. But sticking to this point, Hayden asserted that Karthik is capable of playing before the death overs as well, the only phase in which India seems to want him to bat.
“I think he is such a good player that he can come in and play this exact same shot [that Axar played]. I question the role that he is playing as a finisher. I think there is a role for him to come up the order,” Hayden added.
Karthik came in the 16th over and scored only 5 runs, getting out lbw to Nathan Ellis.
Ajit Agarkar says Dinesh Karthik should bat ahead of Axar Patel
Former India pacer Ajit Agarkar concurred completely with Hayden’s views, saying he felt “strange” that the Indian management have pigeonholed Karthik as only a death overs batter. Agarkar pointed out that DK has been selected over Rishabh Pant and should bat before the slog overs if required.
“I find it very strange with regards to Dinesh Karthik. He is a good enough batter to walk in now. Doesn’t have to after the 16th over. And as improved as Axar Patel is, you have the expectation from Karthik to manage this sort of situation. At least you hope he does, considering he is playing ahead of Rishabh Pant as well in this XI. It happened in the South Africa series and again today, Axar is batting ahead of him,” said Agarkar.
