Dinesh Karthik hits out at Tamil Nadu coach after he blames Sai Kishore for Tamil Nadu's exit from Ranji Trophy semi-final

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik criticized Tamil Nadu Ranji coach Sulakshan Kulkarni for blaming captain R Sai Kishore for their loss in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 semifinal. Dinesh Karthik stated that Sai Kishore led the team to the semi-finals after seven years.

Tamil Nadu failed to advance to the Ranji Trophy final after suffering an innings and 70-run loss against Mumbai at the MCA Cricket Ground on Monday, March 4. Tamil Nadu managed scores of 146 and 162 runs in both innings of the knockout match in the domestic event.

This Is Soo Wrong – Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik responded to the Tamil Nadu head coach’s remarks on R Sai Kishore for the team’s loss. Karthik expressed disappointment in the coach’s actions, emphasizing the importance of supporting the captain.

“This is soo WRONG. This is so disappointing from the coach ..instead of backing the captain who has brought the team to the semis after 7 yrs and thinking it’s a start for good things to happen, the coach has absolutely thrown his captain and team under the bus” tweeted Karthik.

This is soo WRONG

This is so disappointing from the coach ..instead of backing the captain who has brought the team to the semis after 7 yrs and thinking it’s a start for good things to happen, the coach has absolutely thrown his captain and team under the bus

👎🏽👎🏽👎🏽👎🏽👎🏽 https://t.co/Ii61X7Ajqs

— DK (@DineshKarthik) March 5, 2024

We Knew That We Would Bowl First – Sulakshan Kulkarni

Speaking after the match, Sulakshan Kulkarni expressed regret over choosing to bat first after winning the toss. Kulkarni mentioned that the team management had planned to bowl first after winning the toss.

“I always speak straightforward — we lost the match at 9 o’clock on day one. The moment I saw the wicket I exactly knew what we were going to get. Everything was set, we won the toss, as a coach, as a Mumbaikar, I know the conditions well. We should have bowled but the captain had some different instinct,” said Kulkarni, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

“We were mentally prepared that whoever wins the toss would bowl first. We knew that we would bowl first. The moment they (TV broadcast) said we would bat first, whatever you say, it goes in the batsmen’s minds. That first half an hour (before play) got in the batsmen’s minds,” he added.

The Sai Kishore-led team lost five wickets for 42 runs after opting to bat first on a bowling-friendly surface. They were bowled out for 146 runs on the opening day. They reduced the opposition team to 106-7 at one stage in the semi-final match of the tournament.

Shardul Thakur added a 105-run partnership with Hardik Tamore for the eighth wicket. Thakur scored 109 runs off 104 balls, with the help of 13 fours and four sixes. Tanush Kotian (89) and Tushar Deshpande added valuable runs to help Mumbai reach 378 runs.

Tamil Nadu conceded a 232-run lead after the first innings. They scored 162 runs in the second innings, with Baba Indrajith being the only notable contributor with 70 runs off 105 balls. Shams Mulani (4-53) and Shardul Thakur (2-16) helped Mumbai secure an easy victory.

Mumbai secured their place in the Ranji Trophy final for the 48th time in the tournament’s history. The winner of the Vidarbha vs MP match will face Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy 2024 final scheduled from March 10 to 14.

Also read: “Can’t wait to see you play in red” – Dinesh Karthik hails Cameron Green’s ton vs New Zealand