Indian batsman Dinesh Karthik, while talking to Cricbuzz, suggested that Rohit Sharma use the ODI World Cup 2023 strategy against England in the second Test. Karthik stated that there is pressure on top-order batsmen when players bowl well and sometimes batsmen also don’t know what shots they should play. Dinesh Karthik further stated that he knows that the Indian team wants to go through these moments at different times, but this was something that according to him, the ODI World Cup 2023 was special.
India faced a shocking 28-run defeat at the hands of England in the first test match. India, leading by over 150 runs in the first innings, failed to chase 231 runs in the second, courtesy of a brilliant spell of bowling by Tom Hartley. The Indian batsmen struggled to play against the debutant English spinners and got out after playing some silly shots.
Dinesh Karthik suggests Rohit Sharma to use CWC 2023 tactics in 2nd Test
Dinesh Karthik said: “I think a lot of times, the pressure of being a top-order hitter, yes, players play well, sometimes not knowing what shots to hit. I completely understand it, but if the Indian team wants to cross those big moments at different times and that’s where I thought the World Cup was special.”
The Indian cricket team had a brilliant campaign in the ODI World Cup 2023 and was able to win ten out of ten matches before the final against Australia. The Indian batsmen played with a very different mentality and attacked the bowlers from the first ball. This resulted in India being able to rack up huge first innings totals which then put pressure on the opposition and eventually they were able to win matches.
Speaking further in the conversation, Dinesh Karthik stated that Rohit Sharma led from the front in the ODI World Cup 2023 with his shots, while Shreyas Iyer followed in Rohit’s footsteps and eased the pressure from the other batsmen. Karthik pointed out that the same character was missing from Iyer’s batting during the second innings of the first Test. Dinesh Karthik further added that Iyer is someone who can take on roulette blindfolded and hit the limits.
Dinesh Karthik added: “Rohit led from the front with his shots and Shreyas Iyer followed him many times and that relieved the pressure from many other batsmen. That was what was missing even in Shreyas Iyer’s batting today. The courage to play the important role. He is someone who can take on the blindfolded player and push the limits. But you can see that this is pressure and lack of runs, to a certain extent confidence and playing for your place in the team. “All this together, I understand what every top-order Indian batsman is going through, it is hard work, but they have to overcome that.”
The second Test match between India and England will be played from February 2 in Vizag.