Australia vs India 2018-19: Team Wants Me to Finish Games Batting at No 6, Says Dinesh Karthik

Indian National Cricket team batsman Dinesh Karthik admitted that the management had identified the role of a finisher for him at No six following his side’s six-wicket win over Australia at Sydney. In addition to, he also praised former skipper MS Dhoni, who stormed back to form to finish the game in style.

Chasing a stiff target of 299, Karthik (25*) shared a crucial partnership with Dhoni (55*). The duo added 57 runs for the fifth wicket to see off the target as they level the three-match series 1-1. Praising MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik stated that the former has been very solid in this series.

“I think Dhoni’s been pretty solid this series. It was the kind of innings he’s played over and over again. So, it was great to watch him bat and finish off an innings. We know he can absorb pressure and release it back to the opponents when the time is right. That has always been his strength and today you saw the perfect example of that,” Karthik said.

“He knew his plans and I knew my plans and we were just complementing each other,” he added.

I am given the finisher role

Furthermore, Dinesh Karthik has admitted that the management has identified the role of a finisher for him batting at no 6. Karthik added that he had practiced finishing games and it is paying off now.

“I’ve practiced it (finishing games), worked on it and it’s a skill I think is very important. It’s a skill where you need to have a cool head. A lot of experience helps. This is probably one of the hardest skills in the game. To finish a match and be on the winning side is something that is great to be a part of.

“Definitely, the team management has told me this is the role for me right now. And they want me to do the best I can. They are backing me completely. They have told me that this is where I’m going to bat, and this is what they expect out of me and I’m trying to achieve that,” he added.

In conclusion, Dinesh Karthik credited trainer Shankar Basu for keeping them fit even at this temperature saying that he is the best in the business.