Dinesh Karthik reveals why RCB restrained Mayank Dagar after his 2 brilliant overs vs CSK

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has revealed the reason why his team held back Mayank Dagar from bowling in the IPL 2024 opener. Dinesh Karthik played as an impact player for RCB in IPL 2024 match 1. Mayank Dagar bowled fabulous two overs in the IPL 2024 opener vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Left-arm spinner Mayank Dagar conceded just 6 runs across his 2 overs in the RCB vs CSK clash. He restricted CSK batters from going big and didn’t even concede one boundary across his both overs. However, RCB did not try him later in the match.

RCB eventually lost the match by 6 wickets against CSK. Their strategy to hold back Dagar from bowling was criticized by many experts. CSK chased down the target with ease in the 19th over as RCB bowlers failed to get enough wickets.

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Dinesh Karthik reveals why RCB held back Mayank Dagar

During the post-match press conference, RCB wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik revealed the reason why his team restrained Mayank Dagar from bowling after 2 overs. Karthik said they felt it wasn’t a good idea to put a left-arm spinner against left-handers Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube.

“The main reason being Jadeja and Shivam Dube came in. Obviously bowling a left-arm spinner wasn’t a great matchup. The chances of few boundaries will become higher.

So that was the thinking for Faf (du Plessis) to hold on and bring a fast bowler on and try a few short balls and put them under pressure,” said Dinesh Karthik, who scored a wonderful knock while batting.

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Sunil Gavaskar criticized RCB’s strategy to hold back Dagar

Earlier, commentator Sunil Gavaskar had criticized RCB for not utilizing Mayank Dagar after his 2 successful overs.

“You had somebody like a [Mayank] Dagar, who had bowled 2 overs for 6 six runs. I know the way the left-hand spinner can be picked for 6, but you have to take a chance. All that they did, Joseph, Green, Siraj, everybody went in short”, Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

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RCB lost the IPL 2024 opener by 6 wickets

The idea to put pacers ahead of Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja did not work out, as the duo scored unbeaten knocks to chase down the target in the 19th over. Jadeja scored an unbeaten 25 while Dube hit 34 not-out to capture winning runs for the men-in-yellow.

Earlier, RCB piled up 173-6 in 1st innings. Dinesh Karthik played a wonderful knock of unbeaten 38 runs off 26 balls after RCB faced an opening batting collapse. However, Anuj Rawat earned more limelight with his blistering knock of 48 off just 25 deliveries. Both Dinesh Karthik and Anuj Rawat etched a partnership of 95 runs.

However, their brilliant efforts went in vain with RCB bowlers’ poor bowling show. Mustafizur Rahman, who stole 4 wickets for CSK, won the player of the match award. Meanwhile, Faf du Plessis & Co. will take on Punjab Kings in their next clash on Monday, March 25. The encounter takes place at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.