The (Un)Real Interview: Dinesh Karthik brought the game close, but denied Krunal Pandya the single in the last over of the game.
New Zealand defeated India by four runs in the 3rd T20I to win the series 2-1.
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The host side scored 212 runs in the first innings after India won the toss and invited New Zealand to bat. Despite a slow start, the visitors came close to the target.
With 14 runs needed in four balls in the last over of the game, Dinesh Karthik controversially denied Krunal Pandya a run. The act resulted in criticism for the Indian batsman, as India faced a four-run loss in the game.
We talked to Karthik to know the reason behind his decision.
Hello Dinesh. The nation clearly wants to know..
Yes, yes. I know what you all want to know. It was an impulsive decision, nothing else.
India lost the game, though.
And I lost my place in the World Cup..
It was a brainfade moment.
I guess. I did a MS Dhoni.
If only you were this clever in the game..
Come on. I made a mistake, ok? It can happen to anyone. Why don’t you ask Rohit why he played so slowly? I always tell him to stay away from MS..
Why are you so critical of Dhoni?
I’m not critical of him. He actually started to hit as soon as he came to the crease today and saved so many balls.
There you go. You’re criticizing him again.
Right. I’ll remain silent like Y’all do while criticizing certain players.
I guess I can’t change your mind.
Change the batting order if you can.
Okay. Do you see yourselves in the World Cup squad?
Obviously, I do. I don’t know if Ravi does.
Why do you say so?
When I decided not to run in the last over, I didn’t deny Krunal a single. I actually denied Ravi a chance to come out of the team bus with a beer bottle.
Oh yes, I remember that.
He wanted to do it so badly. He had to finish the whole bottle inside the dressing room. Poor guy.
Pity. How did the seniors in the dressing room react to your mistake?
No one said a word. I took a copy of the scorecard as I left the field.
Quite clever. Anyway, we also have Krunal Pandya with us. What was your reaction when Karthik didn’t, Krunal?
Karthik: Let me answer.
Krunal: This is not a cricket pitch, Dinesh. I can answer.
Ooh, burn.
Krunal: I was obviously angry. But Dhoni bhai came to me and said, “He just wants to copy me, never mind him.”
Haha, that’s a good one.
Karthik: I really feel the urge to make a joke but I don’t want to screw my world cup chances.
Yes, Dinesh. Apply your cleverness on the field.
Karthik: Yeah, yeah. Stop it now.
(This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the autor’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner.)
