Dinesh Karthik is always ready to deliver whatever the situation may be and his experience and repertoire of strokes make him a suitable candidate to provide the final flourish for India in the death overs, skipper Rohit Sharma said.
Karthik produced a last-ball six as India pulled off an incredible win over Bangladesh in the Nidhas Trophy T20 Tri-series final, here on Sunday night.
“He was with us on the previous tour in South Africa and didn’t get much game time. To do what he did today will give him a lot of confidence going forward,” said Rohit.
“The most important thing he has is belief in himself. Whatever situation comes, he’s ready — whether he bats up the order or down the order. That’s the kind of guy we need in our team.”
Rohit revealed Karthik was not happy that he was not batting higher in the order but the Indian skipper defended his decision of sending him at No. 7.
“I told him: ‘I want you to bat and finish off the game for us, because whatever skill you have, it will be required in the last three or four overs’ That is the only reason he was not batting at No. 6 in the 13th over when I got out. He was upset with that, but he’ll be quite happy now how he finished off the game.”
Handling pressure well
Rohit was all praise for young all-rounder Washington Sundar.
“Throughout the series Washington’s bowling has been magical for us. What he has done with the new ball is quite incredible. Not anyone can just take the pressure of bowling within the PowerPlay.
“Not to forget he also got wickets at the same time. He didn’t allow any of the opposition to score runs really in the PowerPlay,” Rohit said.
“We identified him as one of the promising talents who can play for the national team for many years. This tournament will give him a lot of confidence.”
Rohit said the young team showed character and executed the plans perfectly.