Dinesh Karthik believes Indian captain Rohit Sharma has addressed his critics following a stunning victory in the third Test against England in Rajkot. The hosts seized a 2-1 lead in the five-match series after defeating Ben Stokes and his team by a record 434 runs on Sunday.
Rohit’s leadership abilities came under scrutiny during the first two Tests. Former English batsman Kevin Pietersen chastised the Indian captain for his tactics and laid-back demeanor on the field.
Dinesh Karthik feels the win in Rajkot will strengthen Rohit Sharma’s confidence ahead of the series’ last two Test matches.
“I would say that this is a statement victory for Rohit Sharma,” Karthik was quoted as saying by India Today. “They did not have Ashwin when they bowled in the first innings of the Test match. That is a big miss in India. In spite of that, he has made this Test match happen. There were few murmurs in the last two Tests that he had not led the team well and at times he let the game drift.”
Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik added:
“He made a strong comeback in Vizag,” he continued. “In Rajkot Ben Duckett made it really hard for him in the first innings, but he still found a way to comeback. Now add the others, the Rahuls, the Kohlis, the Shamis, the Pantsl; Rohit has led this team very well and he has found answers to questions that Bazball raised in the first Test match in Vizag.”
Dinesh Karthik
England put India under pressure several times during the third Test. Rohit discovered a response to the visitors’ tactics, guiding the squad to a resounding victory from the start.
Jaiswal’s Bazball Mastery Earns Dinesh Karthik’s Admiration
India’s rising cricket star, Yashasvi Jaiswal, is making waves. He’s shown his worth since starting his international career.
Recently, Jaiswal stepped it up. He hit double centuries in two games straight. His first was a 209-run play in Visakhapatnam, followed by a 214-run performance, undefeated, in Rajkot. In the series, this Mumbai player has the most runs, 545, with an average of 109.
Dinesh Karthik praised the youngster, noting that his confidence and stroke play were exceptional.
“Not just a century but bossing the bazball in style! The confidence and stroke play has been top class from @ybj_19 #INDvENG.”
Dinesh Karthik
Yashasvi Jaiswal will try to maintain his impressive form when India faces England in the last Test in Ranchi on Friday, February 23.