IND vs SA: Former South Africa Captain Graeme Smith Slams India's Batting Order In The Second T20I
Published - 14 Jun 2022, 01:55 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:08 AM
Former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith was shocked by the decision to send Axar Patel ahead of Dinesh Karthik, labeling him a “bits and pieces batter.”
After scoring 211 in the first T20I, Team India struggled in the second T20I, posting 148/6 in 20 overs against South Africa in Cuttack.
South Africa chased it down with four wickets in hand and 10 balls to spare. Axar Patel has been sent ahead of Dinesh Karthik, which sparked controversy, but the move backfired as the left-hander departed after having scored 10 off 11 balls, while Karthik stayed undefeated on 30.
Karthik’s big play in the final over helped India surpass the 140-run mark. Karthik has returned to India’s T20 squad due to his IPL showings. However, if he is to make the Indian team for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year, he will need to play his best cricket.
‘Dinesh Karthik is one of India’s most experienced cricketers’: Graeme Smith
Former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith was enraged by the decision to send Axar ahead of Karthik, even referring to the all-rounder as a “bits and pieces batter.”
“In what universe does an all-rounder, a bits-and-pieces batter, come in ahead of a frontline batter? I can’t comprehend. Dinesh Karthik is one of India’s most experienced cricketers, having played over 160 games for the country.”
“Forget the IPL and everything else he’s done. You can’t possibly send Axar Patel ahead of him. This is mind-boggling to me ” Graeme Smith spoke to Star Sports following India’s second Twenty20 International against South Africa.
After losing two consecutive games, India will play South Africa in the series’ third match on June 14 at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
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