"He's probably as ice cool as MS Dhoni" - RCB captain Faf du Plessis on holding back Dinesh Karthik vs KKR
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Faf du Plessis explained his team's decision to hold back Dinesh Karthik in the batting order, against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), on Wednesday.
The Bangalore skipper said that they wanted to use his experience towards the end of their innings in the match played at the DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai.
The masterstroke paid dividends as Karthik struck a six and a boundary in the last over to help RCB prevail in a low-scoring thriller. Praising the wicket-keeper batsman, Faf likened Karthik to former India captain MS Dhoni.
Every time Dinesh Karthik finishes a game, it reminds me of the mess we made with his place in the 2019 World Cup team. Some scars never heal.
Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, Faf du Plessis stated:
"Wanted that experience towards the end - cool, calm head. The runs were never really too far away from the balls remaining. If we kept wickets in hand, that was going to be key. Just to have that calmness coming in still towards the end, he's probably as ice cool as MS Dhoni as you can get in the last five overs."
The 35-year-old cricketer played a valiant knock of 14* off 7 balls to help the Bangalore franchise return to winning ways. RCB had lost their first match of the season against Punjab Kings (PBKS). Dinesh Karthik had looked equally good in the first game also, smacking an unbeaten 32 off 14 balls to propel his side to a total in excess of 200.
After a high-scoring game on Sunday, Bangalore played out a low-scoring thriller, which is important at the start of any competition, believes Faf du Plessis.
The former Proteas captain added:
"Very happy - obviously close, small margin games like that are really important in the beginning of the competition to just set the team and go - 'alright that's our competition'. Generally with low scores, you don't want to leave it too late but it was really good Powerplay bowling from their bowlers."
He continued:
"It's nice to see though - in the last game 200 played 200, tonight 120 plays 120 so it's nice. In an ideal world you'd like it to be a little more convincing but a win is a win."
RCB bowlers did exceedingly well to restrict the star-studded Kolkata batting unit to 128 runs. However, the two-time IPL champions were equally up to the task with the ball to have Bangalore at 62/4 in 11 overs.
OFF THE MARK ✅
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But Sherfane Rutherford and Shahbaz Ahmed forged a crucial partnership before Karthik won the game with his two hits.
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"It would be stupid for me to not use it" - Faf du Plessis on having many leaders in the side
The 37-year-old further asserted that he likes to rely on others for help. Du Plessis said that it would be stupid not to use the brains of Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik, who boast of tons of experience of playing in these conditions.
Faf du Plessis concluded by saying:
"I rely a lot on other people for help. We've got such great leaders and brains within our dressing room so it would be stupid for me to not use it. I generally like a lot of information and try and see what's the best option. The guys have been helping me well and they've been coming to me with their inputs. It's been great to have such guys in the side."
With a win and a loss from two games, RCB will hope to keep their winning momentum going in their next match, against Rajasthan Royals, on April 5 at the Wankhede Stadium, according to the IPL schedule.