Dinesh Karthik: Sunil Narine is one of us

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Cricket365
October 7, 2020

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Dinesh Karthik has defended the choice to persist with playing Sunil Narine as a top-order batsman.

Narine had opened the batting with little effect until the contest with Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday 7 October, when he came in at number four with Rahul Tripathi promoted to open.

Sunil Narine is a Kolkata Knight Rider

Karthik said that the team like to maintain a fluid batting lineup to give them tactical versatility.

Coming in at number four Narine produced a cameo of 17 off 9 balls, a modest return that represents his best effort in five innings in IPL 13.

“There are some key players,” Karthik said at the post-match presentation.

“Sunil Narine is one of us. The least we can do is back him. I am really proud of him as a player.

“We thought we will ease Sunny’s pressure a little bit and send Rahul up.

“Our batting is very fluid. I started at 3, I am batting at 7. That is the good thing. Over the years fluid line-ups have done better.”

Karthik put faith in Narine with the ball tasking him with bowling the penultimate over with CSK needing 36 runs to win from 12 balls. Narine conceded ten leaving Andre Russell with the straightforward task of closing out the match.

“The way they batted at the start they did really well, but at the back end, I had great faith in Sunny and Varun. That paid off for me,” added Karthik.

Tripathi the match-winner

Tripathi is relishing his move to the franchise and continues to establish himself as a clutch player in a team packed full of stars.

He was given the man of the match award for his knock of 81 off 51 balls where he performed both the anchor and aggressor roles.

“It is a dream come true for me,” Tripathi said.

“I was prepared for both the roles. Wherever you get the opportunity, you have to be prepared. I just thought the ball was coming on nicely so I just felt we should keep the runs coming. I have loved this journey. Coming to KKR is special.”