IPL 2021: Dinesh Karthik Is A Pro Version Of Suryakumar Yadav; Should Open Or Bat At Number Three, Feels Pragyan Ojha

Former Indian off-spinner Pragyan Ojha opens up on Kolkata Knight Riders keeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik’s batting position in IPL 2021. Dinesh Karthik has been mainly inconsistent since the last few seasons and batted in the middle or the lower middle-order. Pragyan Ojha opines that the Tamil Nadu cricketer is the pro version of Suryakumar Yadav and could craft wonders if he opened the innings or batted at number three.

Dinesh Karthik might be a regular fixture in Kolkata Knight Riders’ line-up; however, he has not been consistently amongst the runs. The right-handed batsman had an underwhelming IPL 2020 as he produced only 169 runs in 14 matches at 14.08, maintaining a strike rate of 126.12. Furthermore, Karthik had to relinquish his captaincy position last season.

England’s limited-overs skipper Eoin Morgan took over charge despite the veteran producing decent results as captain last year. But Karthik had a decent season for Tamil Nadu in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, making 183 runs in eight games at 61 and captained his side to the title. Hence, he offers hope of delivering compelling performances with the bat.

Dinesh Karthik needs those 7, 8 extra deliveries so that you know he can set himself up: Pragyan Ojha

Pragyan Ojha thinks that Dinesh Karthik should be opening the innings or batting at number three since he could do wonders. Ojha feels that the 35-year old is versatile after getting set and is a pro-version of Suryakumar Yadav. The 34-year old highlights that Karthik needs seven or eight balls to set himself up.

“I believe Dinesh Karthik opening or coming 1 down will do wonders to KKR because he is a guy if he bats long, he is so versatile. He is the pro version of Suryakumar Yadav. That’s what I feel, I have seen right from my childhood. That’s the reason I have always said that Dinesh Karthik should always come as an opener or maybe one down. He needs those 7, 8 extra deliveries so that you know he can set himself up,” Ojha told Sports Today.

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