Watch: The game-changing over when Dinesh Karthik took on Tamil Nadu teammate R Ashwin in the RR v RCB clash
Dinesh Karthik starred for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL game on Tuesday (April 5) against Rajasthan Royals helping his team chase down 170. RCB were struggling at 87/5 in the 13th over when he walked out to back and the required run-rate was almost 12 then. But the veteran brought all his experience to the fore in order to take his team over the line in a close encounter.
Karthik came out all guns blazing from the word go and his Tamil Nadu teammate Ravi Ashwin was in the firing line first up. The off-spinner’s 14th over was indeed the turning point of the game as the momentum completely shifted in RCB’s favour.
After conceding only two runs from the first couple of deliveries, Ashwin lost his line as he bowled a delivery down the leg side which Karthik swept it over the fine leg fielder. To make things worse, it was a no-ball and the batter smashed the free hit for a six over long-on. It was yet another poor delivery from Ashwin. It was flat and in the slot and Karthik just cleared his front leg and thumped it for a maximum.
With 11 runs coming off just one ball, the momentum had shifted towards RCB. But the worst was yet to come for Ashwin. He looped up the ball nicely next up to which Dinesh Karthik went through the lofted shot down the ground. He checked the shot in the end when one felt the long-off fielder might get there to dismiss him. But it was timed so beautifully that the ball trudged along for a four.
WATCH DINESH KARTHIK TAKE ON R ASHWIN
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It wasn’t an all one-sided affair in the battle between the two veterans. Ashwin bowled a carrom ball next up and managed to beat his Tamil Nadu teammate. But come the final delivery of the over, Karthik yet again made a smart move. He played reverse sweep, which Ashwin wasn’t expecting, and timed the ball well enough to beat the short third-man fielder.
A massive 21 runs came off the over and despite Ashwin’s efforts, Karthik had not only won the battle, but RCB had taken giant steps towards winning the game. Karthik also made sure that he remained unbeaten till the end to make sure his team gets over the line with five balls to spare. He scored 44 runs off 23 deliveries with seven fours and a six to his name and deservedly won the Player of the Match award.