Daniel Sams would be upset if you call him left-arm spinner: Dinesh Karthik mocks Aussie all-rounder

Dinesh Karthik hit 10 runs on the first two balls from Daniel Sams in the final over of the 2nd T20I on Friday. After the game, Karthik poked fun at Sams for bowling off-cutters to him.

TN Sports Desk

Updated Sep 24, 2022, 07:47 IST

Dinesh Karthik smashed 10 runs off first 2 balls from Daniel Sams in the 20th over | Video Grab

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

India needed 9 runs in the final over of the 2nd T20I against Australia to win the match.
Dinesh Karthik hit 10 runs off the first 2 balls from Sams to wrap up the chase.
After the match, Karthik poked fun at Sams for bowling off-cutters.

Into the final over of the 2nd T20I, the game was set for an enthralling finish, with India requiring 9 runs from 6 balls to win the match and stay alive in the series. Facing Daniel Sams at the crease, it was Dinesh Karthik who hit the winning runs for India, smashing a six and a 4 on the first two balls to wrap up the chase.

While the execution was inch-perfect, quite a bit of planning went behind it from the Indian camp. Though Rishabh Pant was yet to bat, the team management decided to send Dinesh Karthik in the middle, especially because Sams was to bowl the final over of the innings.

As Karthik smashed 10 runs from the first 2 balls of the 20th over, he duly repaid the faith shown in him by the team management. After the match, Karthik revealed the plan that was in place for the final over against Sams.

Speaking to Star Sports after the match, Karthik said: “Never an easy game. There wasn't too much chat with Rohit. I executed it on the given day. Sams would be upset if you call him left-arm spinner.”

In the post-match presentation ceremony, Karthik elaborated on the conversation he had with Rohit Sharma.

“Rohit was trying to tell me this is what the bowler would do and I had my plans. As a middle order batter, it's about execution and it feels good to hit the winning runs.”

Rohit also explained that Karthik was sent above Rishabh Pant as Sams was to bowl the final over. Having played with Sams in Mumbai Indians, Rohit knew that the Aussie would bowl a lot of off-cutters, which Karthik can better handle in comparison to Pant.

“Glad DK could finish well. Been a while since he had some time in the middle. There was this thought if we should get Rishabh in but I thought Sams is going to bowl off-cutters, so I thought let DK come in and he is playing that role anyway for us,” he said.

With the win, India have levelled the series 1-1. The third and final T20I of the series will be held in Hyderabad on Sunday.

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