EXCLUSIVE
Follow UsOn a Saturday evening, Dinesh Karthik enthralled the fans at the Wankhede Stadium with a masterclass as he scored an unbeaten 66 off 34 deliveries to power the Royal Challengers Bangalore to a comprehensive 16-run win against the Delhi Capitals.
The 36-year old has been in sublime form in this edition of the Indian Premier League and bailed the boys from Bengaluru out of challenging situations repeatedly.
In an exclusive conversation with cricket.com, Russel Arnold helps us understand the changes incorporated by Karthik in the tournament to keep coming back after his failures in the past.
"It is not easy because he has been so talented, and not only India but the whole world knew what sort of a player he was. That is why he was on the international scene for a long period of time, but he has always struggled to nail that place down. He keeps coming back, and each time he is showing that maturity," he said.
"He goes back and learns, and right now, I feel he is seeing the game from a different point of view as well after taking commentary. He is one of those I enjoy listening to, so that gives you a different perspective, and that is helping him read the game and himself better."
"Well-balanced and good cricketing shots, this is what India and a lot of fans around the world have probably missed on a consistent basis at the international level," he further added.
The right-handed batter has come in at crucial junctures of the game to help the team get over the line in pressure situations, making him one of the best finishers in the competition.
"A lot of players have the skills, and they will come out and play unbelievable shots, but when it really matters is when the game is on the line, and the expectation is on you, a lot of people choke. This guy seems to be thriving on those situations and batting, so down the order, he is probably up there amongst the leading run-scorers in the tournament," Arnold said.
With the T20 World Cup set to commence later this year in Australia, the former Sri Lankan player believes Karthik can make a comeback to the national side.
"I think he is putting his hand up, and if he continues this form, it is hard to leave him out. When you have a guy who can consistently do this for you coming in at the death overs, you hang onto him, give him all the confidence, and make sure he is on top of his game because he is special."
"Dinesh Karthik is just changing games, and he is giving that team a better balance. With someone like that at number seven, the game is never over for the opposition," he further added.
Arnold feels that Delhi probably missed a trick by not bowling out Kuldeep Yadav in the middle overs and said, "In the death overs, he (Pant) probably thought maybe one more wicket here and hence went to the quick bowlers and it did cost them."
"Till then, Mustafizur was giving nothing away but leaving the spin bowlers till the end, and I think he was just planning to let the seam bowlers get a wicket there."
"Kuldeep, when he is going well, you should look to finish him off and get those wickets in the middle overs."
In pursuit of 190 runs, the Capitals started off in a commanding fashion courtesy of David Warner's blistering innings of 66 off 38 deliveries. While most people believed RCB should have gone after Warner in the IPL as opposed to Faf du Plessis, Arnold feels his form leading up to the tournament was a cause of concern for the southpaw.
"David Warner, over the years, has been the best player, and the number speaks for itself but coming into the auction, he was not the dominant player. Going a year or two prior to that, his form in all forms of cricket we not at his best.
"His rhythm wasn't great even though he went on to score lots of runs and win the World Cup for Australia, it was still not David Warner at his best, and there was always a feeling that something is missing," he said.
In the afternoon clash, the Mumbai Indians have endured a horrific start to their IPL campaign this season after their sixth successive defeat. However, Arnold believes the team can make a comeback and finish strong like they have always done.
"Eight games to go, and they can still finish strong, but qualification or really threatening other teams is going to be a problem. They can spoil the party for others, but to be 6-0 down, unable to get any momentum for such a strong franchise historically, it will be very disappointing," he said.
The former player also highlighted the importance of picking wickets in the middle overs and have wicket-takers in the side, which is causing Mumbai's downfall.
"It is a day game, and the dew is not going to come in to help you. The spinners will get the ball to grip and make it difficult for you. KL Rahul paced his innings well, but there are not many wicket-takers in that team, and that is their problem. When you are picking up wickets, you're pulling the opposition back," he said.
While Mumbai went hard for Ishan Kishan in the auction, the southpaw has failed to live up to all the hype and expectation, and Arnold points out a glaring issue for his lack of runs. Mumbai Indians have failed to have a solid opening combination as Rohit Sharma has struggled for runs in the first six games.
"Whenever Ishan Kishan has been scoring runs, there are particular areas where he is scoring runs. He is really strong square of the wicket, and the moment he is not fed there, it seems to be a problem,"
"It is going to be disappointing for Rohit because he is playing well but unable to get on with it; probably it is because of the pressure of the team not doing well," he concluded.
