Dinesh Karthik Finally Opens Up On Refusing The Single

Just over a year ago, Dinesh Karthik had become a national hero after pulling off a miraculous chase for the country. India were looking set for a humiliating defeat against Bangladesh in the final of the Nidahas Trophy. However, Karthik had played blinder of an innings and had struck a last-ball six to hand Team India a stunning victory. Perhaps that game was one of the reasons why Karthik took the onus on himself to guide India to another win in a tough chase on last Sunday.

India needed 16 runs off the final over to win the third T20I and the series against New Zealand. And while Karthik did manage to hit a six on the last ball, he could not take India over the line. In fact, he made it to the news for all the wrong reasons as he had refused to take a single during the last over despite his partner Krunal Pandya batting on 25 off 12.

Karthik started the over on a decent note by picking up a double. However, what happened on the next two deliveries pretty much sealed India’s fate. Karthik let the second delivery of the over go behind the stumps, hoping that it would be a wide but the umpire gave his decision in the bowler’s favour. And on the third delivery, he managed to hit the ball towards long-on but surprisingly decided against taking a single. Krunal, on the other hand, had already reached the other end of the wicket but managed to get back inside his crease just in time.

Karthik failed to hit a boundary on the following delivery too and went on to take a single. India had gone on to lose the game by 4 runs while chasing an improbable 213. The Tamil Nadu man faced heavy backlash on social media for the incident. Well, he finally opened up on the incident on Wednesday. Speaking to PTI, Karthik said he was confident of doing the job for the team.

“I think Krunal and I batted really well from that situation (when India were reduced to 145/6 in 15.2 overs). We were able to bring the match down to a place where the bowlers were under pressure.”

“We backed ourselves to do the job. And at that stage (after refusing the single), I genuinely believed that I could hit a six,” Karthik said.

Asked if the team management had a word with him on not taking the single, Karthik said:

“They were all aware of the situation and knew we both did the best we could. On that day, we were not good enough. But the support staff, as it has been around for a long time, understood it (our game plan). As I said, you keep practising those situations and because the belief I had in overcoming those situations in practice, I trusted myself do the job in the middle. I was not able to deliver it that day. That is what sport is. The more you back yourself, the more consistent you become in finishing the game.”