WATCH: Dinesh Karthik Takes On Dwaine Pretorius, Smacks Consecutive Boundaries
IND vs SA 4th T20I: Dinesh Karthik has been a revelation ever since he joined Royal Challengers Bangalore and assumed the role of a finisher. After a successful IPL 2022 campaign with the bat, the 39-year-old received a Team India call-up for the T20I series against South Africa and has now justified his selection with a thunderous fifty in the 4th T20I.
After team India were in a spot of bother with 4 wickets lost for just 81 runs in 13 overs, Dinesh Karthik & Hardik Pandya held the crease as they had the onus to lead India to a fightable total in a must-win game.
Dinesh & Hardik shined with the bat as these two etched a partnership of 65 runs for the 5th wicket. In the 18th over, the Indian finisher took on South African pacer Dwaine Pretorius, smacking consecutive boundaries.
Pretorius started the over with a fullish length delivery as Dinesh Karthik walked across the stumps, got under the delivery and dispatched it for a clean six over deep square leg.
On the second delivery, the South African bowler bowled a slow and short delivery outside off. DK cut it behind square on the off-side as Nortje fumbled and let the ball through his legs while running across from sweeper cover.
Dinesh Karthik once again shuffled across the crease on the third delivery, sat down, picking the slower ball with a sweep shot. Even though the timing was a bit off, but was good enough for a four.
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Earlier, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss & opted to bowl first against India in the 4th T20I. With Karthik's 55 and Pandya' 46, India posted 169/6 in 20 overs. Lungi Ngidi picked up 2 wickets for South Africa. This match is being played at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot.