"Rohit Sharma led from front" - Dinesh Karthik suggests India to use CWC 2023 tactics in England Tests

Indian wicketkeeper batsman Dinesh Karthik while speaking to Cricbuzz has suggested Rohit Sharma use the ODI World Cup 2023 strategy against England in the second Test. Karthik stated that there is pressure on the top-order batsmen when the bowlers are bowling well and sometimes the batsmen also don’t know what shots they need to hit. Dinesh Karthik further stated that he knows that the Indian team want to cross these moments at different times but this was something where the ODI World Cup 2023 was special according to him.

India faced a shocking 28-run defeat at the hands of England in the first Test match. India, who were leading by over 150 runs in the first innings, were not able to chase down 231 runs in the second courtesy of a brilliant bowling spell by Tom Hartley. Indian batsmen struggled to play against the debutant English spinners and got out after playing some silly shots.

Dinesh Karthik suggests Rohit Sharma to use CWC 2023 tactics in 2nd Test

Dinesh Karthik said, “I think a lot of the times, the pressure of being a top-order batsman, yes, the bowlers are bowling well, sometimes not knowing what shots to take on. I completely get that but if the Indian team wants to cross those big moments at different points of time and that is where I thought the World Cup was special.”

The Indian cricket team had a brilliant campaign in the ODI World Cup 2023 and were able to win ten out of ten games ahead of the final against Australia. The Indian batsmen played with a very different mindset wherein they went on to attack the bowlers from the very first ball. This resulted in India being able to put up huge first innings totals, which later created pressure on the opposition, and at last, they were able to win matches.

Speaking further in the conversation, Dinesh Karthik stated that Rohit Sharma led from the front in the ODI World Cup 2023 with his shot making whereas Shreyas Iyer followed Rohit’s footsteps and eased pressure from the other batsmen. Karthik pointed out that the same character was missing in Iyer’s batting during the second innings of the first Test. Dinesh Karthik further added that Iyer is someone who can take on the spinner blindfolded and hit boundaries.

Dinesh Karthik added, “Rohit led from the front with his shot-making and Shreyas Iyer followed through a lot of the times and that eased the pressure of a lot of other batters around. That was what was missing, even from Shreyas Iyer’s batting today. The courage to play the big shot. He is someone who can take on the off-spinner blindfolded and hit boundaries. But you can see this is what pressure and lack of runs, to an extent confidence and playing for your place in the side. All of this put together, I get what each Indian top-order batsman is going through, it is hard work, but they have to cross that.”

The second Test match between India and England will be played from February 2 in Vizag.