IND vs WI: 'Dinesh Karthik Ain't A Finisher. He Is Just Adding Final Touches': Kris Srikkanth Triggers Huge Debate On Dinesh Karthik's Role In India XI

In the Twenty20 series opener last week against West Indies, Dinesh Karthik once again excelled in the finisher’s position. He played a key role in India defeating the Caribbean team with a brisk 41 not out off only 19 deliveries.

The seasoned batter currently sees a clearly defined job after relishing his new batting duty where he has limited opportunity to get his eyes in. Karthik, who is 37, however, exhibits no symptoms of ageing and has set the T20 World Cup in Australia this year as his ultimate objective.

Ever since his comeback to the Indian lineup, the seasoned wicketkeeper-batter has only gotten better. Krishnamachari Srikkanth, a former captain of India, feels Karthik isn’t doing what a finisher should be doing.

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Your Definition Of A Finisher Is Wrong: Kris Srikkanth

Srikkanth believes that a finisher is someone who goes all the way and wins the game, as opposed to Karthik’s devastation in the final four overs. The 20-over format may have altered the sport’s dynamics.

“Your definition of a finisher is wrong. Yes, Dinesh has been doing very well. He has been brilliant in the IPL and a few matches here. But that is not a finisher! A guy who can take the match from 8th or 9th over and finish it can be called a finisher. What Dinesh is doing can be called final touches.

Take Suryakumar Yadav. We saw that he almost single-handedly won the match in England. That’s the finishing role.

Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant are finishers… and our captain (Rohit) can open and play till the 17th over in 12th gear is also a finisher,” Srikkanth stated on FanCode during the third Twenty20 between India and West Indies.

“An actual finisher doesn’t play between 16-20 overs. A finisher is a guy who takes the match along from 8th or 9th over and eventually finishes with 60 odd runs. Dinesh’s role is defined. He is doing fantastic but he is fine-tuning the finishing role instead of actually being a finisher,” he added.

There Are Small Tick-boxes That We Need To Have At This Point: Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik, who made his international debut for India back in 2004, is eager to win the 2017 T20 World Cup during his most recent stint with the team. He also played on the team that captured both the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 and the first World T20 in 2007.

“These are small tick-boxes that we need to have at this point. But the ultimate goal is to do well in the T20 World Cup,” Karthik told teammate Ravichandran Ashwin on BCCI TV.

The seasoned player also lauded the current leadership team, which is led by Rohit Sharma. “I think this is a very different team and I am enjoying this set up. There is a great sort of calmness that is around the captain and the coach, a lot of credit must go to them,” Karthik added.

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