The cricketing world reacts to Dinesh Karthik's match-winning knock

Veteran India batsman Dinesh Karthik has played a swashbuckling knock in the fourth T20I against South Africa and helped India win the game convincingly last night. Karthik batted at no. 6 and he managed to deliver whenever given the chance. He smashed a stunning 55 off 27 as well with 9 fours and 2 sixes as well.

Meanwhile, his knock has not only impressed the fans but also the cricketing fraternity. 

Ex-cricketer Ashish Nehra has said that the Indian team management will be happy to see Dinesh Karthik's impressive performance with the bat. He also stated how challenging it would have been for Karthik to come back to the national side after almost three years and perform like this. And, the veteran mentioned that, with his stunning fifty, the right-hander showed that he is a dependable batter in the T20 format.

"It's never easy for a senior player to make such a comeback. He did start off well in the series, but was in search of a big knock. While he had been scoring impactful runs, it was good to see him bat at No. 6 today and score a half-century. 

You expect this from an experienced player. He was chosen as a finisher, but he also knows how to steady the ship when needed. The team management will be very happy with his performance," he said while speaking to Cricbuzz.

In the same video, Parthiv Patel has also shared that Dinesh Karthik's stunning show forced South Africa to make errors during the match. He also revealed that Karthik has adjusted his shots based on the field placement to take on the bowlers.

"South Africa's bowling wasn't up to the mark when Dinesh Karthik was batting. But the reputation of a player like him forces the opposition to make such errors. More than the bowler, he is playing according to the field. When the square-leg and fine-leg were in the circle, he was looking to play over them right from the beginning."

Ashish Nehra also highlighted that South Africa had brought in the fine-leg and the square-leg inside the 30-yard circle when Dwaine Pretorius was bowling to Dinesh Karthik. And, the veteran believed it was the wrong move as Karthik is very strong in that area.

He further added: "I was surprised to see that Dwaine Pretorius had both fine-leg and square-leg inside the circle for Dinesh Karthik. A bowler can get hit for a six even on a good ball. But field placement is something that is in his control. He doesn't have express pace and doesn't bowl a lot of bouncers or yorkers. He even plays the ramp shot to bowlers who have the pace. South Africa will have to change their bowling plans."

Meanwhile, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has also reacted to Karthik’s sparkling half-century. He added that Karthik’s performance should be paid attention to and not his age and he should be backed for the T20 World Cup squad.

"He came at a time when the bat had to be thrown at just about everything. Don’t look at his age, look at what he is doing. If DK is not on that flight to Melbourne, it will be a big surprise," Gavaskar stated during the innings interval.

On the other hand, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who had played several matches with Dinesh Karthik, hailed the Indian international as well. "Dinesh Karthik is making a story of his own. Brilliant batting," Pathan added.

Meanwhile, Virender Sehwag was happy with both Karthik and Pandya's innings. Both batters added 65 runs in less than 6 overs and helped India to score 73 runs off their last five overs as well after losing a few early wickets in their innings.

"Fantastic striking from DK and Kung-fu Pandya in the last 5 overs. Bowlers ko kamaal karna padega to defend 169," added Sehwag.

Along with them, former India spinner Amit Mishra has also praised Karthik's knock and lavished praise on the Indian bowlers who did quite well. 

"Dinesh Karthik's maiden fifty in T20s has given India more than a chance to win this match and level the series. It's all up to the bowlers to repeat such performance in their bowling," again added Mishra.

However, the five-match series is now level at 2-2 after India's convincing victory in the fourth game. The two sides will take on each other in the final match of the series on Sunday (June 19) in Bengaluru.