Published: Feb 10, 2019, 10:47 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 10, 2019, 10:35 PM (IST)
India came tantalizingly close to win the third Twenty20 international and win the three-match series against New Zealand at the Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday. (India vs New Zealand, 3rd T20I: FULL SCORECARD)
However, it was not to be for the Rohit Sharma-led unit as Kane Williamson’s side secured a four-run win to clinch the series. (ALSO READ: It would have been nice to win the series and go home and play Australia: Rohit Sharma)
While Dinesh Karthik scored a quickfire 33 (unbeaten) off 16 balls, the diminutive wicketkeeper-batsman, who is mostly playing as a batsman in India’s limited-overs side these days, he was trolled as India lost the game. (ALSO READ: 3rd T20I: New Zealand avoid Karthik scare to clinch series against India)
The Twitter trolls came down heavily on Karthik after he refused to take a single on the third ball of the final over as India needed 14 runs off 4 balls and sent Krunal Pandya, who to his credit had brought India in touching distance of a win with an unbeaten knock of 26 off 13 balls. (ALSO READ: India vs New Zealand, T20Is Statistical Review: Blackcaps’ T20I dominance, Dhoni’s 300 and Rohit’s record)
https://twitter.com/premchoprafan/status/1094544388515135489
While it was clear that Krunal was not too pleased, Karthik’s actions sent Twitter into frenzy, with some of the fans criticising him whether he is MS Dhoni – one of the finest finishers in the limited-overs cricket.
Former cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar tweeted, “Brilliant hitting by DK but small mistakes have a big effect on the result in T20s. Was a mistake to not take that single with Krunal at the other end.#IndVsNZ.”
Brilliant hitting by DK but small mistakes have a big effect on the result in T20s. Was a mistake to not take that single with Krunal at the other end.#IndVsNZ
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 10, 2019
However, some of the other Twitter users were not that impressed with Karthik.
Mr. Dinesh Karthik you are not MS DHONI to deny a single and then finish with sixes. You might have done it once but you can't do it every time like MS does… #INDvsNZt20
— bastele jhakday (@Vakeelsab) February 10, 2019
That decision to NOT run a single by Dinesh Karthik boiled my blood. There is a reason he has not been regular in the team, fit for domestic cricket only or against Bangladesh. Poor understanding of match situation. He is not even close to Dhoni #INDvNZ
— Arijit Chakraborty (@dadabhaikolkata) February 10, 2019
Not taking that run was the stupidest thing to do in the cricket field …ughhh Dinesh Karthik #INDvsNZ
— Suchi (@Sucheetaah) February 10, 2019
Dinesh Karthik wasted 2 deliveries even denied taking a single
Rohit Sharma & co. to Dinesh Karthik in dressing room
#INDvsNZt20 #NZvIND #NZvsIND #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/IASfE3Ud1K
— Why_So_Serious_? (@HODL_till_2140) February 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/StarkAditya/status/1094543088557580288
