IND vs WI: "What Were They Thinking?" - Dinesh Karthik Slams West Indies Batters' Defensive Approach At Port Of Spain

Veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik expressed his disappointment over the West Indies’ defensive approach with the bat in the ongoing second Test. Dinesh Karthik highlighted that the West Indies could’ve shown impact to win the match and level the series against India.

The West Indies started the third day’s play at a total of 86/1 in Port of Spain. The Kraigg Brathwaite-led team scored at an underwhelming run rate of 2.12 in their first innings and ended the day with a score of 229/5. The hosts are still trailing the Rohit Sharma-led team by 209 runs in a must-win game.

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They Had A Run Rate Of 2.00 And 2.10 – Dinesh Karthik

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Dinesh Karthik made shocking remarks on the West Indies batters’ approach and pointed out that they maintained a slow over rate.

“What were they thinking? India played close to 128 overs to get their score at a run rate of 3.50. West Indies, on the other hand, lost the first game, and it is a two-match series,” Karthik told Cricbuzz.

“If they want to make an impact in this Test series, the only chance for them to do is by levelling the series. But they had a run rate of 2.00 and 2.10. What were they thinking? That is what disappointed me the most about the day,” he added.

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You Just Want To Draw It – Dinesh Karthik

The cricketer-turned-commentator highlighted that the Windies team is trying to play for a draw, stating that the batters didn’t show aggression.

“Have you started out this Test match thinking that you just want to draw it? And even if that is the result that you want and you’re after, how does it make a difference?”

“India are already 1-0 ahead in the series. No batter showed intent, no batter showed aggression, and I am not saying reckless batting here,” he further stated.

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What Are You Trying To Achieve – Dinesh Karthik

Karthik questioned the Windies batters’ intent to win the Test match and said that they didn’t score at a decent rate despite favourable conditions for batting.

“But if you are telling me on a placid pitch where there is nothing happening for the Indian bowlers and whatever little is happening from the rough and there are three medium pacers bowling and just two spinners bowling and you can’t score at 3.00 or 3.50 runs per over, what is the point? What are you trying to achieve in this Test match?”

Alick Athanaze (37) and Jason Holder (11) remained at the crease at Stumps on Day 3. Ravindra Jadeja picked up two wickets, while Mukesh Kumar, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Mohammed Siraj took one wicket each.