'Not disrespecting Dinesh Karthik but...': Matthew Hayden questions veteran stumper's role in Team India

Indian suffered a four-wicket defeat against defending T20 World Cup winners Australia in the first T20I of the three-match series in Mohali on Tuesday (September 20). India batted well and posted a total of 208 runs on the board, but it wasn’t enough as the visitors chased it down in 19.2 overs for the loss of six wickets. With a win in the series opener, Australia is now on the verge of winning a rare T20I series in India. For the Men in Blue, the defeat in the first match was a shocking result, as they were expected to seal the contest after posting a big total, but a poor display on the field by both bowlers and fielders cost India.

Five out of the six bowlers used by Indian skipper Rohit Sharma on the night conceded more than 10 runs per over and the fielders dropped as many as three crucial catches.

Apart from these two major issues, one thing that has been a cause of concern for the team management now is Dinesh Karthik’s form and role in the team. The veteran stumper appears to be the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter for India in the current set-up at the moment, and that’s why he was preferred over the talented Rishabh Pant in the playing XI for the first match. However, the manner in which he batted and the position in which he came out to bat have left many wondering about his role in the Indian team.

Karthik batted at number seven in the series opener against Aaron Finch's side in Mohali, but it was surprising that all-rounder Axar Patel was sent ahead of him, despite Karthik being a more capable batter on any given day. It wasn’t the first time this strategy was used by the Indian team management, and like the previous occasions as well, this time too, it didn’t go well with the former greats and experts, who questioned Karthik’s role in the team.

"I was just thinking about the role of Dinesh (Karthik). This role Dinesh is playing now, for the life of me, I can't work out why he wouldn't be in their batting now. It doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever. See, I don't want to give the impression that I'm disrespecting Dinesh Karthik, but he should be batting more-it's actually the opposite," Hayden said on air during the 1st T20I.

The former Australian opener said that even though Axar may have shown tremendous credentials with the bat of late, Karthik should get more ball time.

"I think he is such a good player that he can come in and play this exact same shot. I question the role that he is playing as a finisher. I think there is a role for him to come up the order," he added.

Former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar, who was on air with Hayden at that time, echoed similar sentiments by saying that it is important for India to utilise and get the most out of Karthik.

"I find it very strange with regards to Dinesh Karthik. He is a good enough batter to walk in now. Doesn't have to after the 16th over. And as improved as Axar Patel is, you have the expectation from Karthik to manage this sort of situation. At least you hope he does, considering he is playing ahead of Rishabh Pant as well in this XI. It happened in the South Africa series and again today, Axar is batting ahead of him," said Agarkar.